Why Services for Special Needs children with Autism should not be cut
Children health should be one of the nation’s priorities in its healthcare provision policies. Autism in children has been of recent concern in the United States. The effects of autism in children are long-term and its effect influences children’s growth and development (Benson & Haith, 2009). It is the objective of the state to ensure that its future human resource is full of well-matured adults, who are healthy and can contribute to the wellbeing of the society under minimal expenses.
However, such objectives of the health policy may be underachieved if the necessary facilities and funds are not allocated with confidence. Perhaps the reason the American children might be suffering in future is the recent cut in state budget in healthcare budget allocation. The reason the state budge allocation in healthcare was to be sliced can be owed to the economic meltdown that was experienced in the year 2008. However, children with autism require extensive and extra care (Mesmere, 2008). Precisely they are patients with special needs and with or without the economic recession, the quality of their health depends on special treatment.
By cutting down of budget allocation of healthcare in this case is illogical. This means that the quality of healthcare provided to autistic children is lowered. What about children who come from poor backgrounds? The same children will suffer more, considering their parents depend on jobs that they risk losing because of the economic recession. The plea of the majority of Americans for the reverse of healthcare budget allocation is well because it is wrong to interfere with services offered to children with autism.
However, there are alternatives that may help in solving the current problem. One of these alternatives is the childcare assistance program. Considering the nature of autism, child care program can play a significant role in ensuring children benefit in the long-term with good health and the same time, the healthcare program do not suffer from lack of funds. Childcare program in United States is an industry on its own estimated to be worth $500 billion (Schulz, 2006).
A number of childcare clinics can be made available to communities that are worse hit by the recession. In this case, parents of children with autism can work in the clinics and in return gain the support of their children care. Not only will the parents benefit from the above dimension, but the child care industry is less likely to get bankrupt and lose its reputation.
The childcare assistance initiative will achieve its core objective of ensuring children are taken care of, and special needs for the children are catered for. With childcare initiative in place, the quality of healthcare offered to children with autism is less likely to be compromised (Smith, 2005).
In conclusion, the America healthcare policy should put more emphasis on the healthcare provided to children with autism, by first acknowledging that the future of the country depends on a healthy society and people who act with clear conscious. America healthcare policy makers should understand that the cost of preventing the impact of autism in later stages is comparable to the cost of preventing the disorder at early stages in children. Children will benefit not only with better socio-cognitive skills but also with better life aspirations (Mulberg et al, 2009).
References
Benson, J. B., & Haith, M., M. (2009). Social and emotional development in infancy and early childhood. San Diego, CA: Academic press.
Mesmere, B., S. (2008). New autism research developments. New York, NY: Nova Publishers.
Mulberg, A. E., Silber, S., A. & Anker, J., N. (2009). Pediatric drug development: Concepts and applications. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Schultz, R. (2006). The encyclopedia of aging: A-K. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Smith, J., C. (2005). Occupational therapy for children. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby.