For the child who is recently diagnosed on the autism spectrum and their family, the costs associated with evaluations, doctor appointments, therapists, developmental pediatricians, diagnosticians, and counselors can be astronomical. When your child is diagnosed on the spectrum, the reality sets in that every dollar that comes in can be used for some type of intervention or therapy that could make a significant difference in their life. The value of the dollar takes on an entirely new meaning. The question becomes....What's in your wallet?

Families around the world are experiencing a financial crisis the moment their child requires extensive therapy services. There is no time table to refer to when you think of therapies and intervention strategies. What works for some, doesn't necessarily mean it will work for your child. Some children experience seizures, some children never experience a seizure. Food allergies play a significant role in some situations, while other children get tested, re-tested, and tested again and find no allergies whatsoever. Every time you step through the door of a clinic there is a check to write, cash to be exchanged, or credit card to be swiped. It is becoming more obvious as the years go on that insurance companies say one thing and do another when it comes to coverage of services for those diagnosed with autism.

For over a decade, I served companies in leadership roles over the Human Resources and Organizational Development functions. I was at the table during benefit plan reviews for companies with tens of thousands of employees and listened intently as the large health insurance companies passionately expressed their interest in the world of autism spectrum disorders. They knew to play to the customer's personal situation. As COO of a technology company, I negotiated a health plan for a twenty employee venture and continued to listen as the insurance companies talk about their "heart" and "compassion" towards families like mine. As the founder of two more ventures, I continued to find the same results when it came down to negotiating health plans. For more than six years the conversations have been the exact same regardless of the size company. I have consulted to many companies that have employees who face the same financial pains that we have gone through in our home. There is no amount of money you can make that will ease the financial strain that comes from paying for services that are typically not covered by insurance.

Throughout our travels with AutismSpot (dating back to April 2007), we have met with thousands of families and professionals who share the same story. Every raise that you get, the new money will allow your child to try a new therapy. The bigger your tax refund, the more money you have to spend on therapy equipment for the home. Inherit some money, now you can afford a private school that caters to your child's special needs. The stories are endless and the struggles are heartbreaking.

The autism community experiences an 80% + divorce rate among parents of children who are diagnosed on the spectrum. Single moms, single fathers are struggling to put food on the table and provide the therapies their children desperately need. Money and grants are given in the millions of dollars to fund research which all of us can applaud. But, what is being done for the single mother of two who are both on spectrum and surviving on less than $30,000 a year in income. Our system has failed us.

I am not a loose canon, a radical, a win-at-all-cost person. I don't want to trample my neighbor to get ahead. I am a father. A father to a child who needs me, his mother, and his brother more than he can begin to understand. I am a son who grew up with the belief that I live in the greatest country on earth and where opportunity existed around every corner. I witnessed firsthand the daily battle against another neurological disorder (Multiple Sclerosis). I am a brother who thanks God every day that my sisters will never face the challenges of raising a child with autism. I am a friend who you have known for years and may never see the scars that have been left after years of fighting this battle against autism. I am a member of a growing community that welcomes new members every twenty minutes when another child is diagnosed on the autism spectrum. I am a fighter, advocate for change, a communicator, and I am unwilling to waiver from this new path we must take.

We often judge success by the thickness of a person's wallet or the size of their bank account. The lavish lifestyles some lead, the magazine covers they grace, the new cars they drive. Today, I read a note from a mom who shared with the world that her 13 year old son with Asperger's was asked to be the Chief Programmer on his school's Robotics Team. Now this my friends, this is an example of success. Two weeks ago I sat with a mom who showed me her son had learned to say his first name without using his DynaVox. He is ten years old. This is success that no mountain of money can ever replace. Her tear filled eyes looked up after he walked away and she told me he said, "Mom". This was the first time in ten years.

The annual economic impact autism has on the United States exceeds $8 billion. The average family reports spending more than $65,000 a year on education and specialized care. Many families see their costs exceeding $100,000 annually. Insurance and lack of coverage plays a significant factor in these rising costs. As more therapy and intervention solutions are proving to play a significant roll in improving communication, socialization, and daily functions, there is a growing list of options and a shrinking pocketbook that can no longer afford them. The agony of not being able to provide what your child needs is unbearable.

So, what's in my wallet? A piece of paper from my son that says, "I love laughing with you." Six years ago we were told, "Sam may never talk in complete sentences, he might only babble in unrecognizable ways, he might sit for hours staring at absolutely nothing, he may never play a team sport or run and jump like other children, he might never be able to make meaningful friendships (much less get married) and he may need constant care for his entire life, unless we start intervention immediately. Even with intervention, there are no guarantees." My little piece of paper says it all.

We speak with our wallets every day when we provide therapies for our children that are not covered by insurance. Now, lets speak with our combined voices and tell our Senators, Congressmen, and every elective official that we must do more to improve health care coverage for those living with autism.