Let’s take a look at some financial resources to help save money as a parent of an Autistic child
Raising kids is an expensive affair at the best of times. It’s a journey with non-stop costs from the day they come into the world through school and their teenage years. For many of us, life wouldn’t be complete without our children, and the commitment wasn’t some lifestyle choice – it’s something deep within us and arguably why we’re here in the first place.
However, if your child has special needs there are many more costs involved in raising them. That puts an even more significant strain on your finances. While not always a primary concern, money does influence the quality of everything. This includes everyday life, your child’s care, therapy, education, and more. The fact is that being short of cash makes everything harder, and caring for someone with autism spectrum disorder is no different.
In this article, we will look at financial assistance resources for parents with autistic children. There’s some great help available on the web if you know where to look.
The Costs of Caring For a Child With Autism
In 2012, Autism Speaks, one of the world’s foremost autism science and advocacy organizations, conducted a study that estimated the annual cost of ASD to the US. The figure was a cool $126 billion. For families with autistic children, the costs are just as staggering, at $2.3 million for every person affected.
Other research illustrates how the time demands of caring for a child with ASD impact earnings. Families earn 28% less than those without health problems and 21% less than families coping with non-autism conditions. However, the most significant effect is moms bringing home 56% less pay than mothers not affected.
How To Save Money as a Parent of an Autistic Child
Research is the key to saving some of that hard-earned cash when raising a kid with ASD. The internet is an excellent resource for raising a child with autism. There’s information about the therapy, care, and educational advice – but it can be harder to track down financial support sources. So, what help is out there, and where can you find it?
Financial Assistance Resources For Parents of Autistic Children
Finding coupon bargains is one thing, but what about when the bills are piling up and you need a financial help? There are many non-profit programs at the national and state levels. It’s important to remember that no matter how hard things get sometimes, you’re never alone when raising a child with autism.
Elemy created a guide to support parents who have a child recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This free resource serves to educate parents and caretakers of neurodivergent children on all aspects of ASD to understand better what it means for their child, their family, and how to move forward. Check them out here:
- https://www.elemy.com/studio/guides/parents-guide
- https://www.elemy.com/studio/autism-resources/resources-and-help
Below are some great resources we have come across to help families of autistic children find financial assistance to cover therapies, pay bills, and other great programs. This list will constantly be growing, so make sure to bookmark this post and check back often.
- ACT Today! grants are designed to provide access to individuals and families affected by ASD
- Maggie Welby Foundation Scholarships offers scholarships for children grades Kindergarten through twelfth grade.
- Debt.com offers advice for Financial Help for Special Needs Children & Their Families
- Autism Family Resources Grants offer grants if your household income falls below $50,000
- The Ezra B. Smith Foundation for Autism Therapy and Education is a great therapy and education funding resource.
- Helping Hands Program, National Autism Association offers grants to make treatments more accessible.
- PAF Co-Pay Relief offers debt-relief assistance
- Small Steps in Speech provides funding grants for speech therapy
- ACT Today awards grants up to $5,000 for low-earning families to use for therapy and medical treatments or devices
- Adonis Autism Assistance Foundation runs three grant programs you can apply for online for some Florida residents
