Many Autistic Kids, Few Schools To Help

(CBS)  Patrick Ruzzo is 4 years old, autistic and a student at the New England Center for Children, CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reports. That makes him one of the lucky ones.

Bob Ruzzo, Patrick's dad, feels that getting into the center is like getting into Harvard. "It is the equivalent. People come from all around the country," he says.

They come because it's one of the few schools in the country that offers daily one-on-one therapy for autistic kids. Patrick is making progress every day. His dad says he's "confident" his son will speak one day, and will say "Hi, dad."

It's a simple wish, but one that's never granted for thousands of parents of autistic kids.

"There are hundreds and hundreds of them begging for us to take their child, and there's not enough room," says Vinnie Strully at New England Center For Children.

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Vincent Strully talks more about the need to treat autism at an early age.

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Not in Strully's facility, nor in programs anywhere else, for that matter. More than 24,000 children are diagnosed with autism every year.

"It's heartbreaking to turn away a family. A family feels like we've just condemned their child to a lifetime of misery and in some ways, I think we have," says Strully.

Most public school systems don't have the money or resources to treat autistic children. Educators say it's a little like asking the school nurse to treat a child with leukemia.

"It's a terrible system to have your son's future be dependant on what the tax revenues were in your hometown that year," Bob Ruzzo says.

But the Ruzzos are dependent on them. Right now, their school district helps pay Patrick's $60,000-a-year tuition. There's no guarantee they'll pay for the program in the future.

"We don't go on vacations because we're afraid we're going to have to use that money to pay privately," says Susan Ruzzo, Patrick's mother.

A bill signed today by President Bush offers little help. It earmarks hundreds of millions of dollars for autism research, but little for care or services.

"We have to treat the children who've already been diagnosed because they are so numerous right now and so neglected right now," Bob says.

The Ruzzos say research is important, but their goal is simple: a hug from their son, accompanied by a hello.

[dylansmom12]

Where money is spent is often a hot topic. Everyone has their opinions. As a parent of autistic child, I applaude all of the research that is occurring to help fight autism. There is such a great need to help families in the future.

However, I am a bit selfish in saying that I want additional services for my son and my family now. For me, living with this every day, I feel panic when trying to find the right 'path'. When you are resticted by financial issues or even just available resources, that panic is overwhelming.

Dylan needs to be a productive member of society so that he can survive when my husband and I are no longer here to take care of him. The intervention that he receives now at age 5 is what is going to make a difference for what kind of person he will be at age 18 and older.

So, please do not judge those that want the money to be spent on services/intervention or those that want the money to go toward research. I think in their hearts everyone is fighting for the same goal - to help our kids. I hope that the Autism Bill recently signed by President Bush is a step in the right direction to raise awareness and funding for Autism now and in the future.

Merry Christmas! God Bless all the little ones!

[gaye5]

Hey, I was nursing 40 years ago, and we didnt know of ANT children with Autism,, has anyone ever wondered why this has come about,, I have a good idea why, but the medical proffession and our drug companies will never except it...

[captiva11]

Right on Dylans Mom. My 5 year old son is profoundly autistic. Funny how our priorities change. I would give everything to hear him say, " I love you". Let's beat this awful thing. Regardless of our own personal treatment opinions, it's the parents of these kids that will get the answers we so desparately need. And, we have the greatest incentive of all to beat this. Love!

[dylansmom12]

Like Mr. Ruzzo, we struggle every day to make sure we are on the right path with our son Dylan (5 years old autistic and hearing impaired). There is so much information out there regarding what is best for autistic children. Luckily we live in a school district with fairly adequate services, however, in our hearts, we know that there is more that can be done.

I have a request similar to Mr. Ruzzo's - instead of a 'Hi Dad!', I tell people I would love to hear 'No Mama!'. That would tell me that Dylan has a thought of his own and is able to express it.

The Ruzzo Family's story is one that we live every day. I pray that one day we will both hear 'I love you' from our children.

[captiva11]

As I can appreciate the comment from pamdonlon, the report does not say that funding needs to be given to services and NOT research. It simply points out that the new legislation disproportionately gives money to research. This is a true statement. My son is a residential student @ NECC. Beating up NECC doesn't solve anything. Autism, by definition, is a spectrum of issues and, for many, NECC is the only thing that has helped. In fact, going to their strict ABA approach is the only approach that has helped the quality of my sons life after trying so many other approaches. While it's true that being absolutely focused on one therapy or treatment is foolish, to discount a school that has helped so many is also foolish. Parental responsibility to research and try what is ultimately going to be best for their child is what we all need to do. Much better than arbitrarily critiizing one school or intervention. Lastly, any media exposure to educate this country on the epidemic is positive. I thank all of those who direct their talents and professional ambitions to help those who are among the neediest in our society.

[pamdonlan]

I disagree that funding needs to be allocated toward services, and not research. Research into the etiology of this disorder is clearly warranted. Our current interventions are limited, and provide few answers.My child spent four years as a residential student at the New England Center for Children, where little to no progress was made. Now in a very different program,one that eomphasizes learning and well being, she is doing quite well, and is extremely happy. To suggest that The New England Center is akin to Harvard is humorous at best; inaccurate to be sure. As these children age, their needs change, and so does the need for more innovative approaches.

[parent13]

I have a child at the New England Center for Children. The school has exceeded my expectations in every way. The school is a model for the world to study and learn from. They are making efforts to be able to share their knowledge with the world.
The analogy of asking the school nurse to treat leukemia can be accurate, depending on the resources of the school system and the degree or severity of your child's autism. Each case is unique and it is important to consider all the options. Early intervention is the best course of action.
Indeed it is important to continue research. The cost to society and to the families of children with autism, not to mention the children themselves and their siblings can be minimized with appropriate funding of qualified programs. Government agencies should shop carefully to attain the best service providers for these children.

[melizabeth1]

While I am pleased that the national media is giving attention to Autism, I disagree with one aspect of this story. I am a special education preschool teacher and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. In my experience, many school districts are beginning to offer intensive 1:1 services and ABA instruction to students with autism. I teach in a public school preschool classroom providing the same intensity of services as private placements. More and more schools are getting qualified staff to run programs for children with Autism. And while many more schools need to begin offering these services, it is not a fair representation to say schools cannot afford these services. In reality, schools cannot afford to not offer these services and continue to send students out to expensive private placements. Public schools are capable of implementing services for most students. In addition, it is rediculous to say public school teachers cannot teach students with autism. Many teachers get specialized degrees in special education to enable them to teach students with all disabilites. And while students with autism learn differently, they can still be taught in the public school given support from a special education teacher and consultation. If we want to build inclusive schools, we all need realize that all educators are capable of teaching students with autism given support, education, and consultation.

[mtredhawk200]

Autism is such a devastating diagnosis. I have been working with hippotherapy (horseback riding therapy) for years, and autistic children are a large part of our clients. It can work miracles! The insurance companies are just starting to figure out how cost effective horse therapy is, and some will pay for the therapy. It's something that works not only for the child or adult, but their families. Riding is a common bond and subject of conversation that can open up the beginning of social interaction. Somehow the horses are able to reach into autistism and start the process of communication. I have seen completely non-verbal children start to communicate in just a few riding sessions, and the confidence the client and their families find is truly a joy to be involved in. There are many programs all over the country now, check them out. The horses should be kind and calm, the handlers should encourage you to be a part of the program, and it should be fun.

[buckeyenut54]

When the Federal Government and it's health agencies admit the wrongs they committed, then and only then will there ever be funding for care of this precious lives! As the grandfather of a child with autism, it sickens me that our government attempts to hide the actual cause in the sudden rise in autism. As they say, love my country and defend to the day I die. But its leaders, well, thats another issue.
Parents, do your research. Refuse to accept the pablum that the National Institute of Health and our government gives.