Name: Allan Oliva Ms.

Frank Senior Capstone, Period #1 Date: 10/23/2013

Understanding the Misunderstood 1 in 88 children are affected by autism and that about 500,000 children have cerebral palsy. This is very surprising seeing as it does not get as widespread attention like other disorders. The government should fund more programs to help families and children with these disabilities. This being because some families cannot support themselves, much less their own children with disabilities. The government as well as other organizations should donate more for this cause. Other organizations should pitch in seeing as they can partner up with one another and build connections that they can later on benefit off of. This is a bigger issue than everyone thinks it is, but together we can make a huge difference in helping out these kids. Autism is the fastest growing development disability in our nation. Mary Bono. Autism is a disorder that is most common between the first three years of a young child's life. It affects the brain development such as social and communication skills. This affects them by not being able to socialize. This means that they do not respond to their name or dont talk as much as other kids. This affects their way of living by limiting them to what they can and cannot do. Cerebral palsy is a disorder that also affects the brain but this disorder targets muscles or nervous system functions. Some of them cant walk and others find it hard to move. Many use what are called walkers, which is a supportive device. People with disabilities like these kids

with disorders didnt always get treated the same or special. During the 1970s through the 1990s there was a movement called the Disability rights movement.(American History) The main primary goal of this movement was to gain more acceptances to the workforce. The end result was significant changes in legislation for people with disabilities. Communication disorders are disorders that prevent one person from being able to socialize and communicate. Some communication disorders are different than others. Some like cerebral palsy makes their muscle spasm. (Mayo Clinic) There are many disorders that need attention as well. The disability rights movement helps out all who are disabled. Some examples of this are that disabled people get a permit that helps them park their vehicle closer to the supermarket or store. Another example could be where the government provides them with discounts on wheelchair or electric wheelchairs, if they need it. The government should provide more funding because some families are less fortunate than others and may not be able to afford proper care. Many families do not think that something, such as a having a disorder will affect them, but sure enough most of them end up shocked and confused on what to do. When disorders like these strike poor income families they are split in what to do. They want to help their children but some of them cannot afford to. This can take a huge toll, not only by the one affected but by the entire family. The average disabled person gets up to about $500 dollars from the government and the Social Security Administration. Therapy costs around $200 an hour.(Dr.Marlo) Meaning that they can go to two therapy sessions and thats it. Most of these families dont have that type of income to pay for therapy sessions this costly. The costs can sum up to a maximum of $72,000 for those who have an extreme case of disorders. Others can sum up to about $67,000 if their case is minimal. Many families cannot afford these types of payments. For many professionals this is their minimum

salary for a year. The fact that these families cannot pay for these methods is troubling. This means that they cannot help their family member or sustain them. This is an issue because every one should deserve a chance to be helped, no matter who it is. The government pitches in but families still struggle to pay for therapy sessions. Whatever help they get determines whether or not their family member with autism or cerebral palsy gets to receive therapy. Although some of them can pay for the therapy, help is always appreciated and can be of huge help to them. In conclusion the government should fund more programs or donate more to programs that really need it. Its not only the government; this is a big issue all around the world. It is not being supported as much as it should be. This issue should not be seen smaller, but just as equally as other disorders. Although there are many organizations that help kids with disabilities, somehow this disorder manages to go under the spectrum. The truth to the matter is that people who do not know or are affected by this issue dont really know what the issue is to begin with. Since they are not affected by it and it is not a big issue they dont really see or hear about this as much. People who dont know about this issue dont honestly know how to. If the word were to spread then more people would know and more people would try to help. There are many ways that people are beginning to spread awareness like camps and events. There are many resources seen online about these organizations that spread awareness. Any donation would help many organizations. While autism and cerebral palsy are issues, it is not focused much on like cancer or other major disorders. Some of these organizations really want to help but cannot due to the fact that their funds have been cut short or they dont have the money for the resources they need. This reduces the activities that organizations can do to try and help these people with autism and cerebral palsy. Autism and cerebral palsy have smaller events than those of cancer

and other disorders/disease. Many organizations, like Easter Seals and Carries Heart, help kids but they can have a limit to as how many kids they can help. Even though they have a limit they try to help as many kids as they can. They try to recruit them so that the kids can have a fun and enjoyable week, and be treated the same as everyone. In conclusion helping these organizations help other people. Any action can help. Anything from donating to giving money can go a long way in an organization or a persons life. Donations are a big part of these organizations, mainly because most of these organizations use to funds to try and setup fun and helpful things that people with autism and cerebral palsy can do. A donation small or big can benefit the group or maybe just a specific person. It all depends on what organization youre giving to. It should be our duty to help those less fortunate than us but at the same time treat them just like if they were any other person. Some might say that the government already gives out too much money to fund these organizations. This is not true; although the government gives out some money to the people and non profit organizations it seems that this money is not quite enough for some people, groups, and organizations. Some not all but some organizations are funded by the federal government, and they do give out a lot of money. Although the social security administration gives out about $500 it doesnt quite seem to be enough. Some might say that this is enough for a month, but if you see the data provided then you would know that each therapy costs about 100 an hour. Autistic and cerebral palsy disorders are not cheap, especially now that the economy is so harsh. According to some organizations, they are forced to close because they do not have enough money to pay and help the people. Organizations may sometimes struggle to run efficiently. Those who do not have enough money shut down. This is a problem because when these organizations close many people are left without jobs but most importantly people with these

disorders have no where to go. In conclusion governments do not give enough money, they should take into consideration that these organizations actually help the U.S and that the government should give them more money. The United States government should also realize that this can benefit them in the future. The truth is that the economy should help because these groups do not receive enough money to support the people that they can help. Low income families need all the support that they can get. Even though they get some support, any support they can get is much appreciated. Families would be more than happy to receive donations to help pay for some of those therapies. Families as well as organizations and many groups will benefit off of donations. Families who can get donations benefit because they would be able to live a better and more successful life. They would be able to pay for therapy and other personal bills. In other words, families would be worrying little to none when it comes to helping out a family member. Organizations would also be able to help the families in need. In fact these organizations can make it in some way cheaper for them. They can try and open a program where they offer their own therapy for fewer costs than many others. The only thing that everyone needs is more help, as well as more recognition. In conclusion government should donate even more money to nonprofit organizations that help autistic and kids with cerebral palsy. More help and more recognition will lead to better and more help from more people. The government as well as many other people should be willing to donate some money. Millions of people are affected by this issue, its not just a few people who are affected. It is not seen as a big issue but it actually it. No one thinks that this can happen to a family member but when it does its better to be ready than to be shocked and confused. Simple actions like donating and communicating with organizations can go along way. There are many people who are trying to spread awareness of this issue and although it will be a challenge we must believe

that this can be done. We must spread awareness and try and not only donate but to come up with a definite solution for this issue. We must come up with a way to not only reduce these numbers but to see how we can progress the future of those already affected by this issue. It is not easy for those who are already affected by this issue. They face many challenges but they as well want to see change. The challenges seem endless for them. Many of them face discrimination and bullying. They are bullied because theyre different but the fact is that theyre just like any other person. These people need our help now. Not only are millions of people affected but many people need help financially. Government helps as well as individual help can provide more than enough for people with autistic and cerebral palsy disorders. This will help by opening up more facilities and being able to do more activities/ fundraisers for the same cause. Not only will these organizations profit but the organizations themselves will give back. They will give back by partnering with other groups. In the end regardless of if people donate we need to help these people move forward and help their families. Donating does play a big role in this issue but anything that can be donated helps thee organizations. This world needs to be more aware of issues like this that are not minimal but are not seen as a big issue. People should instantly know what an organization is talking about when they say autism and cerebral palsy. Helping them is only a small step, the next steps depend on how we the people can progress this issue to become more global and a worldwide issue.

Works Cited
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"What Is Autism?" Autism Speaks. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. "What Is Cerebral Palsy?" What Is Cerebral Palsy? N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.