Like other little boys, 5-year- old Arthur Davis Conroy loves to swim, jump on his trampoline and watch Charlie Brown videos. He works hard at school and has a loving mother, father and older sister.
But Arthur is also unlike other children.
Arthur was 2 years old when he was diagnosed with autism, a neuro-developmental disorder that impacts social interactions and communication skills.
While there is no way to prove Arthur was born with autism, Katrina Davis, Arthur's mother, said she knew in her gut that he was different.
"A mom has an intuition. I knew something was different about him, but I didn't know what it was," she explained.
The financial burden
Autism is what's called a "spectrum disorder." Symptoms appear in various combinations and range from mild to severe.
According to the state Department of Developmental Services, Autism Spectral Disorder (ASD) is more common than Down's syndrome, cystic fibrosis and childhood cancer.
Reports of ASD have increased 273 percent in the last 10 years. While the prevalence of autism appears to have dramatically increased, behavioral therapy for autistic children is still not covered by Washington state or most insurance companies.
Behavioral therapy has shown to be effective in autistic children, and costs anywhere from $25,000 to $40,000 a year. Parents are left to handle the costs.
"It is a financial burden regardless of income, but if you are middle- to low-income, this will be a substantial financial burden," Davis said.
Davis added that parents look to the Department of Developmental Disabilities, insurance companies and school districts to cover costs, but there is not enough money to provide the expert-recommended 25 hours a week of care.
"There is no excuse for not treating it, but it is very expensive and very hard to find the money. Kids with autism are going without this therapy that will help their lives. They will cost us more later," she said.
Davis said that society should care more about taking care of disabled citizens.
"This world isn't really meant for Arthur in some ways - it's just not. We relegate marginalized people to the margins. In some ways, we are very generous in society, and in some ways very selfish," she said.
During the three years since his diagnosis, Arthur has received 15 to 25 hours a week of in-home intensive therapy. Therapy has helped him to communicate better with others, follow simple directions and express himself with words and pictures, Davis said, and the therapy has greatly improved Arthur's abilities.
"He is a lot more able because of the therapy, but he is not 'high functioning.' Therapy doesn't cure him, but his life was changed because of it," she explained.
Friends of Arthur
To help shoulder the cost of Arthur's care, family and friends formed the Friends of Arthur organization shortly after his diagnosis.
On May 19, the group had a fund-raiser at the Showbox, featuring a raffle, silent auction and musical performances by Smoosh.
"The fund-raiser was a big success. Over 250 friends, family, community and people who didn't know Arthur were there. We were able to raise money for about half a year of therapy," Davis said.
While the fund-raiser was highly successful, Davis recognizes that it is a privilege to be able to fund-raise for her son. She said that many families cannot fund-raise and don't have the means to cover the cost of much-needed therapy.
While most parents of autistic children are taxed on time, money and energy, Davis maintains that Arthur is a joy in her life and the lives of family members. "He is wonderfully different and a beautiful little person. I am lucky to know him and have him in my life," she said.
Arthur's 7-year-old sister, Jace, is one of his strongest advocates. On the Friends of Arthur website, Jace says, "When Arthur grows up, I want him to live with me so he can do what he wants to do."
Davis said that Jace treats Arthur like she would any other brother. "She is the one who reminds us he is not so different," Davis said. "She knows how to see his essence, and [she] will be a lifelong friend to him."
Davis said she had to let go of some expectations she had of a typically developing child. Many people with moderate to severe autism never marry, and many require lifelong care. But Davis has hope that others will care for her son with love.
"The joy is trusting in the unknown, trusting in humanity and relying on the kindness of others. The wants we have for people that we love are just so essential and elemental."[[In-content Ad]]
