Here’s What We Know About The National Autism Program Bill
Known as House Bill No. 3379, the National Autism Program Bill hopes to alleviate the financial stress that families with autistic children suffer from
With all the studies demanding early intervention for autism, it’s a godsend to hear that the government is taking action. Bacolod Lone District Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez recently introduced a bill known as the National Autism Program Bill (also known as House Bill No. 3379), projecting that its passing would support over 1.2 million families and over 350,000 kids with autism.
The bill would also create a program under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) known as the Autism Support Allowance program.
The biggest obstacle for interventions
We know that early intervention is a must for autism. Yet, the biggest obstacle to that is the cost. Because little to no financial programs exist to support these kinds of interventions, most parents pay out of pocket for these. But the financial and logistical constraints of finding a therapist, paying said therapist, and affording the medicines (should there be any physiological and psychological issues existing with the autism) can be exhausting.
And while PWD IDs help, they have a limit and cover more general benefits—not usually specific to developmental therapies.
On the other hand, the National Autism Program Bill aims to provide the following:
- Regular stipend of PHP 4000.00 to families with autism
- Free services such as:
- Development assessment for kids until five years old
- Occupational, speech, and behavioral therapy in DOH-accredited hospitals
- Free medicines for persons on the spectrum diagnosed with Level 3 Autism
Other struggles that families with autism face
Besides costing, it’s also the number of people who specialize in developmental pediatrics. In the Philippines, there are only around 99 developmental pediatricians. Because there are only a few practitioners, it can take months or even years before anyone can get an appointment with them.
Logistics is also difficult. Most of these professionals stay in the metro, leaving many of those in the province undiagnosed. The skyrocketing rates of autism and developmental disorders are caused by two things: late diagnosis of autism and not having enough professionals trained to intervene and help parents navigate the disorder.
When this new bill gets passed, there’s hope for many families with autism to get the support they need. That way, their child will have a chance to thrive like any other.
More about autism?
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Autism: In The Eyes of A Child And Now, An Adult
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