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Autism: Causes, Prevention and Insurance Coverage
For parents of a child who has autism, a diagnosis like this can be overwhelming and frightening. What does it mean? How will it impact the child’s life going forward? These are key questions you may have, but there are resources and tools available to help you, including quality health insurance products that can give you the peace of mind you need. When it comes to autism, the information here should not be considered medical advice but should help you to choose the right health insurance policy for your needs.
What Causes Autism?
It’s hard to say what can cause autism because researchers are not fully sure why so many children fall into the autism spectrum disorder. Research indicates that a predisposed condition, along with environmental factors, are likely the cause of the condition. However, science is still unsure why some children develop the condition, and others do not. More so, they do not always understand why there is such a range of symptoms of autism as well.
Autism Risk Groups
Some people may be at a higher risk level for developing autism. Those who have a sibling that has it or those who have older parents are more likely to have autism than those who do not. Some children are more likely to have it because of a genetic condition they have, such as Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, or fragile X syndrome. Children that are born with a very low birthweight are also more likely to have ASD.
Symptoms of Autism
Symptoms of autism range widely. The signs of autism in children typically can range from social and communication behaviors, interaction behaviors, and repetitive behaviors, among others. This can include things like not being willing to make eye contact or having an unusual tone of voice. In Restrictive behaviors, some children develop the need to repeat certain behaviors several times. Others may be very sensitive to changes in their routine.
Also, those children with Asperger’s syndrome, a type of high functioning autism, the child may be very exceptional in the arts, math, or science. They may also have very strong visual and auditory learning abilities.
Prevention of Autism
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, there is no for sure way to eliminate the risk of a child being born with autism. More so, it is unlikely that this will be possible until we learn more about what causes autism to occur in children. For this reason, it is always best to simply work with a team of doctors to ensure your child is as healthy as possible.
Health Insurance Coverage for Autism
If you have a child that has autism, he or she may need ongoing medical care and mental health care for years to come. That is why it is so important to have quality health insurance. Many parents with a child on the spectrum don’t realize their health insurance policy can offer a wide range of benefits depending on the type of coverage. While many children with autism do not require any additional medical services or treatments, they often need medications. Having a health insurance policy that includes all of the necessary medications is essential.
Some health insurance policies for autism may go further and provide you with coverage for occupational therapy. Many will include physical therapy if your child needs it. It is important to know that you can customize the coverage you obtain based on your family’s needs. As you begin to look for insurance plans that fit your family, make this a point. Learn about the coverage and the options available for minimizing any financial out of pocket costs you have.
Another key factor about autism health insurance is the specialists provided. Many plans offer HMOs and PPOs, or networks of insurance providers that may be able to provide for your needs. Be sure your child’s specialists are listed here. And, be sure you are confident they are the best providers in your area.
When it comes to autism, every child is different. That is one of the key reasons it is so important for you to choose the best quality health insurance for your child. Be sure it is always based on what your specific needs are.
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