36 Desiree

Desiree Fernandez

Autism

Autism: a variable developmental disorder that appears by age three and is characterized by impairment of the ability to form normal social relationships , by impairment of the ability to communicate with others. The unfortunate definition of a disorder that haunts six per one thousand people according to autism-society.org. Now the question is are we doing enough to ease the burden on these unlucky autistic souls.

Everyone should be able to live an equally capable life and autism strips that inequality from innocent people. Language skills for autistic people regress immensely early in life and can stay in that condition or even become much worse. in fact; according to The National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke, children whose language skills decrease before the age of three are at risk of developing epilepsy or seizure like activity. If we don't fund the research and therapy needed to prevent and treat autism we let the members of our country feel inferior to their fellow citizens. Something that United States has always looked down upon.

There are eight research centers across the country that are "Centers of excellence in autism research", these centers are doing all they can for autism. Such as conducting research into causes, diagnosis, prevention, detection, and treatment. If we put funding into these centers and others then we can make great advances in treating and maybe one day curing autism. More funding means more programs, better equipment, and faster results. If we want to help the autistic community we have to take action. Without funding we cannot make the improvements we need to make a dramatic change.

An argument that many people seem to point out is that we need to invest in a more critical issue in health such as cancer to give an example. Investing in cancer, paralization, and ADD is quite necessary, but it is also necessary to fund autism research. We have to improve the health of our country one disorder at a time. Every child should be able to make friends, every persons thoughts should be heard, and every autistic person should have the chance to be equal.

Conquering autism will take a lot of time, and a lot of dedication, but if we don't fund its research it will continue to hurt so many people of our country. We as people cannot sit back and watch fellow citizens suffer the tragic disorder of autism. Remember when you where young and everything was exciting and new. All you needed was your best friend to talk to and play with. Imagine trying so hard to communicate with the other children and failing helplessly. Imagine all of that, and try to say that we shouldn't put more funding into autism research.