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- I don’t care what caused my son’s autism. I care about getting him the resources he needs to thrive. (businessinsider.com)
For Stephanie Guerrero, the “why” behind her son’s autism diagnosis isn’t the question that keeps her up at night. Instead, this dedicated mom focuses her energy on a much more pressing matter: ensuring her 6-year-old son receives the support he needs to thrive.
“I’ve always been a solutions-oriented person,” Guerrero explains. Since her son’s diagnosis three years ago, she’s channeled her efforts into navigating the often complex world of autism care. While grateful for the resources and community support she’s found, Guerrero admits securing these services is a constant battle.
The financial burden is substantial. In 2023 alone, the Guerrero family exceeded their $3,000 out-of-pocket maximum for medical expenses, a figure they anticipate will reach $10,000 this year due to the costs of essential therapies like occupational, speech, behavioral, and mental health support.
But the financial strain is only one piece of the puzzle. Long wait times for specialists, sometimes stretching up to a year, create additional hurdles.
Guerrero highlights the need for improved accessibility, urging lawmakers to prioritize services over the pursuit of pinpointing autism’s cause. She also advocates for government and insurance company collaboration to address transportation challenges, easing the burden on working parents who must constantly juggle appointments.
Guerrero finds solace and strength in local resources like the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), where she connects with fellow parents, shares experiences, and learns crucial advocacy skills. She now empowers other families by teaching them how to navigate the system, from invoking the Americans with Disabilities Act to appealing insurance decisions.
Despite her proactive approach, a lingering fear remains: that the ongoing search for a cause and cure for autism might ultimately lead insurance companies to deny coverage for essential therapies. Guerrero’s hope is that the focus will shift towards supporting autistic individuals and their families, rather than seeking a simple explanation for a complex condition.
For Guerrero, her son’s love for Mario, ocean animals, and counting, coupled with a supportive community and dedicated adults in his life, are the factors that will truly shape his future – far more than any identified cause of his autism.