Expected Outcome

In the reading homework of the studies that most insurance companies use to decide medical eligibility, I was shocked. Over and over again, the words “normal child” was used. The studies regarding therapies such as LOVAS, TEACH, PROMPT, LEAP, etc., it appeared that these therapies were often discouraged because the outcome was not of that of a “normal child”.

I cannot understand. If the assumption is that ASD is a lifelong disability as stated in the studies, why are we expecting an outcome of a “normal child”? Shouldn’t the expected outcome be that of less dependence? A chance to learn skills to be as independent as possible?

Maybe we are weird, but we have pretty much accepted that things will not be normal. With this diagnosis come a different path and set of expectations. While we absolutely still hope and push Little Bug to do his best, we have also changed our expectations. We want him to reach his full potential. We want him to be as independent as possible. We want him to have a life defined on his terms as successful.

It seems like information is missing from these studies. How many families were studied from the time the child was diagnosed into adulthood? Have we verified how many children who received any of the denied therapies were less dependent on adult care? Have we looked at how children grew into adulthood after these therapies and were able to have a job?