Link: Challenges When Santa Reyes' son, Yoleheri, was diagnosed with autism at age 3, the Lawrence, Mass., woman, who speaks little English, had no idea where to turn for help for her autistic son. When she began to pursue answers, she discovered her son was not receiving appropriate services, such as speech therapy. On this World Autism Awareness Day, it may be worth noting Reyes' experience is not unique. It is true of many families with limited resources who are dealing with an autistic offspring. Autism's toll isn't merely calculated in the difficulty it takes to communicate or learn; the complex neurobiological disorder also adds up quickly in dollars and cents.
