We created this website as a means to inform people on Autism Spectrum Disorders and as a resource to families that have children with Autism. Everyone has heard of Autism, but do you really know what it is? How is affects these children? Or what the families with an Autistic child are facing? We hope to raise Autism awareness through racing events and increase races that are for Autism.
This is how I Tri 4 Autism started:
In the summer of 2009, we found out that our 3 year old son, Christian, is Autistic. The first day after we found out we were upset and sad for our son. We were trying to understand and grasp the idea of this diagnosis. Day two, we spent the day trying to find out about treatments for our son. We learned about all these therapies and Biomedical treatments that were working for thousands of families all over the country. Yay! What an inspiration to know that there is hope for our precious son. So we knew what to do next: Call our insurance company and find out about our coverage. Day three after finding out about Christian being autistic, we hit the phone calling our insurance company. We were shocked by what we were told by our insurance company. Insurance DOES NOT cover all treatments for Autism. What?! Really?! Why?! They cover for us to send our son to a psychiatrist for necessary evaluations and medications (Psychiatric medication) and for some therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy. However this coverage is typically very limited by most carriers. Other therapies that have been shown to be powerful in helping Autistic children, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), are not covered at all by insurance companies. These therapies have been proven in their effectiveness in helping children with Autism. It was then laid heavily on our hearts to do something. We needed to not only help our son however we have to, but we need to create an awareness of this. There are millions of families out there in the same position as we are in, and we need to do something to help all the voices that are crying for help even louder. That was in the Summer of 2009, and thankfully since then, Missouri (our home state) has passed a law that insurance companies must cover treatments for Autism. But there are still so many states in this country that still won't. In the Fall of 2009, our second son, Daniel was diagnosed with a Sensory Processing Disorder and it is currently suspected that he has PDD-NOS. This is our mission:1- We hope to help create Autism Awareness through this website with information. We have all heard about Autism on the news and have seen the puzzle piece symbol, but do we really know what Autism is, or what families are going through to get treatment for their children? Before we found out about Christian's Autism, we had no idea exactly what Autism was, or that families were being fought tooth and nail from the insurance companies and doctors to get help for their children.
2- We hope to help create Autism Awareness through our favorite recreational sport-Racing....doing relays, 5k's, half marathons, marathons and triathlons. Also, we want to give others the opportunity to create awareness while they race or train. We have created shirts that can be purchased and worn to show your support and help promote autism awareness.
3- We also want to increase races that support Autism. There are thousands of races every year all over the country, but not many benefit Autism. We want to increase the races that benefit Autism.
There are ways to help these kids, and there is something in our hearts and heads yelling this, and we believe this with every part us. We believe there is a way to help our boys and millions of kids out there. There also needs to be a larger awareness of Autism and the impact it is having on our children and the future generations. We hope that our small voices can help make a difference!
Questions? Contact us at support@itri4autism.com
I Tri 4 Autism is up to something exciting in St. Louis!! We are working with Autism Speaks to bring the first 5k Before the Walk in St. Louis!! Join us on October 15th, 2011 at 12:15p to run a 5k for Autism Speaks.
You're also welcome to join our team for the St. Louis, Walk Now for Autism Speaks. All proceeds from the donations we raise on our team page go directly to Autism Speaks and to the research for finding a cure for Autism. Please consider making a donation to Autism Speaks or joining our team and walking (and/or running) with us on October 15th, 2011. All donations made to Autism Speaks are 100% tax deductible!
