Information Everyone Should Know About Autism

Since April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, it is a great opportunity to become informed and aware of the basics of autism and how to support those with it. Whether it be how life is on a daily basis for someone with autism to how be respectful to someone with autism, education is key to understanding this disorder.

1. Everyone’s Autism is Different

If you have met or interacted with someone with autism, you have not experienced what all people with autism are like. Generalizing what everyone’s autism symptoms are like will only end in inconsistencies. This is why there is a spectrum when it comes to autism. Some individuals have autism and are high functioning. While some may have severe signs of “classic” autism.

2. Bad Parenting Does Not Bring on Autism

In the early stages of understanding Autism, many blamed parents for their lack of engagement and amount of nurture with the child that lead to the disorder. Of course, with better research and insight, parenting is deemed not be the cause of autism. There are some proven factors that cause autism. Infections, metabolic problems, substances that a mother takes during pregnancy, brain abnormalities, and other genetic abnormalities.

3. The Earlier, the Better

This does not mean the sooner the diagnosis, the better chance for a “cure”. It means there is a stronger opportunity for better learning and communication skills, less behavioral issues, and an overall more adaptive skills of independence. As well, evidence-based treatments for autism are educational/therapy related not necessarily medical. These therapy-based treatments are best started early, are intensive in nature and based on behavioral principles. It also helps to have parents be an integral part of nurturing social interest.  

4. Children with Autism are Still Children

Even though children with autism have difficulty in their basic communication skills, they are still children. Children may need help in communicating their emotions and responses to situations, but they are still children. In some situations, those with ASD grow up and live their adult lives independently thriving in their respected careers while some may need dependent living situations their entire life. No matter where a person with ASD falls on the spectrum, it does not make their life any less valuable.

Is There a Relationship Between Mental Illness & Guns?

In the wake of the violent, deadly mass shootings that have been occurring across the United States, the American people are begging for a solution on how to lower gun violence and increase gun safety. The politicized topic of gun regulation has been in question for decades but still, no major strides towards a solution have come to the surface. Events such as Sandy Hook, Pulse nightclub, and now the recent attack in the small town, Texas church all add to the list of some of the deadliest massacres our nation has faced. Many are pointing the finger to mental health, claiming that we must implement stronger restrictions to gun access for those who are mentally ill. Is there a direct relationship between mental health and mass shootings?

The Process

We must first look at the current processes put in place that prevent certain individuals from obtaining a firearm. Regulations vary from state to state so there is no blanket law for gun access. Some states have a waiting period in place while others, like Virginia, can sell you a gun in less than ten minutes. Where many fall through the cracks is during the process of a background check. Stores, in most states, will run a federal and state background check screening for felony charges, individuals who are considered fugitives, or those who have been convicted of domestic violence. A loophole to avoid background checks is obtaining a gun through a private seller. In 39, states, private sellers can sell a firearm without performing a single background check.

In terms of mental illness, many diagnoses of anxiety, depression, and ADHD have no correlation to violent behavior. Statisticians and researchers have been unable to prove whether mental illness can be blamed as the cause, nor whether it can be predictive of future mass shootings. One in five United States citizens has a diagnosable mental disorder yet only one in twenty gun homicides are carried out by those with a mental health problem. There are also chronicled stories of Americans with ADHD going through the process of obtaining a gun and going through the required courses to get a carrying permit as well. Yet, it seems that the small percentage of people who are mentally ill seems to be taking the blame politically and socially rather than openly discussing the issue of gun safety.

The Repercussion

If society and the political ecosystem are going to blame mental illness for mass shootings, we can not amend laws restricting those individuals from obtaining guns. We also can not deprive these individuals of access to proper healthcare. While mental health may be a portion of the problem, there are other strategies we must implement to lower the amount of gun violence in America. For example, when the automobiles were introduced, it took small steps to improve their safety. Seat belts, to car seats, to airbags were all introduced throughout the past fifty years to slowly increase the safety of vehicles. America did not ban cars because they were dangerous, we took measure to increase safety technology, introduced driver’s education, and created federal standards. Like cars, guns are not going away anytime soon. It is our responsibility to not place blame or politicize the subject but to view this problem in America as a public health crisis that needs increased safety measures.

A Brief Insight to Medicaid in America

One of the biggest issues facing, not only the current administration of the United States, but the rest of the citizens of the country is the outcome of the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act by the Republican party. President Trump has lead a campaign will the full intent to rid the nation of the previous administration’s attempts of a solution to healthcare. A new bill is in the works that could ultimately cut funding to many areas of health. Mental health funding decreases leave many to worry how they will navigate through an administration that will not fully fund their illnesses or regard their mental health as important.

Medicaid

Medicaid is the largest payer for mental health services in America that provides millions of citizens with coverage of their mental health or addiction issues. The newest health care bill that was created by Senate Republicans in June of 2017 stirred controversy among many mental health organizations due to the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid. The previous bill provided expansive funding to Medicaid programs that resulted in 1.3 million Americans with serious mental illnesses becoming insured for the first time. The Congressional Budget office has stated on record that the drafted bill would reduce Medicaid spending by 26 percent by 2026 and then by 35 percent the decade to follow.

With recent disagreements in the bill, some revisions have been made to boost some healthcare services such as new hospital beds for those who need extreme psychiatric care. This is a small step in the right direction for funding these issues but this bill is nowhere near where the mental health community would like it to be. The reason for the distress in the community is due to the fact that Medicaid acts as a safety net for many Americans who need intensive services and support.

The Solution

Some believe that the repeal and replacement of Obamacare will solve all of the issues within the healthcare system but it is more complicated when said than done. Removing the Affordable Care Act would leave millions uninsured and fending for their own in regards to mental health and other facets of health services. Many Americans felt left out of the drafting process of this bill because it was kept hidden from the public for so long. Utilizing ideas from both parties and listening to what American’s need is what is going to create a bill that best fits the health issues of everyday Americans.

43.8 million Americans experience some sort of mental illness during a given year. It is a vast amount people to ignore that their experience can not be insured or respected as a real problem.