With 1 in 88 children being diagnosed with autism, the need for intensive, early intervention for these children has become a priority in our country. Although 32 states currently have a mandate that requires insurance carriers to cover the costs of autism therapy, including Applied Behavior Analysis, there are still many loopholes that are leaving many families without therapy for their children.
A local organization, the Lawyers Autism Awareness Foundation (LAAF), in which I am on the Board of Directors, has determined this need for financial assistance for families to access the most critical services for children with autism; Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Speech Therapy (ST), Occupational Therapy (OT), and Physical Therapy (PT). Therefore, we have organized a needs-based grant that will offer families up to $5000.00 each to cover the cost of these much needed services. Last year, LAAF awarded almost $10,000.00 to local families in need of therapy for their children on the spectrum. And this year, in 2012, we hope to offer more than twice that.
The application for the grant can be found on the LAAF’s website: www.thelaaf.org under the “Needs Based Grant Program” tab. Families who are struggling financially to cover the cost of therapy for their children are encouraged to apply. The applications will be accepted through November 30th, 2012 and applicants will be chosen at the beginning of the 2013 calendar year.
For more information on LAAF, their mission, or the grant application process, please email Sandy Santeiro at sandy@thelaaf.org. We can make a big difference in our community by helping out one child at a time.
