Autism is a spectrum disorder and there is a wide range of symptoms and severity. This means not everyone with autism goes through the same challenges; however, with proper intervention and support, people with autism enjoy happy and fulfilling lives.
This is the reason we look at autism benefits in Georgia in this article.
The rate of autism in Georgia (1 in 54 children) is slightly higher than the national average of 1 in 59 children.
Autism also happens to occur more in boys than girls; for every 4 autistic male children, there is 1 female autistic child.
Across the various races in Georgia, the rate of autism is shown below:
- White: 1 in 54
- Black: 1 in 56
- Hispanic: 1 in 66
- Asian: 1 in 110
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 1 in 128
- Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1 in 142
These figures are based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and may not 100% reflect what is happening in reality; this is because the CDC has also stated a 10-20% undercount of autism cases in the United States.
The major reasons why autism rate is higher among boys than girls include but are not limited to:
- Differences in the diagnosis process for boys and girls.
- Environmental factors like exposure to certain infections and chemicals.
- Differences in the biological nature of boys and girls.
The major reasons for the rate of autism among different races include but are not limited to:
- Differences in genetics across different racial groups.
- Differences in healthcare and early intervention services.
- Environmental factors like exposure to certain infections and chemicals.
List of Autism Benefits in Georgia
Below are some of the autism benefits in Georgia that can you access if you are a resident in Georgia living with Autism.
You can also conduct more research as this list may not cover all benefits for autistic persons in Georgia. Links are provided to help you with more information on each benefit.
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Early Intervention Services:
Their goal for Georgia is for all kids with autism and related disorders to have access to high-quality, family-centered, comprehensive, and coordinated systems of services and support.
Their community-based, conveniently located, culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and supports are aimed at helping kids realize their full potential and enhance their quality of life.
Services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and behavior therapy.
- Website: https://cld.gsu.edu/autism-plan-ga/
Medicaid Waiver Services:
Medicaid covers nearly 7.4 million seniors and almost 11.1 million people who are eligible based on a disability as of 2014.
These enrollees may be more likely to experience negative health effects from coronavirus infection because of their advanced age, pre-existing medical conditions, and/or living in communal settings like nursing homes, intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), or group homes. Services may include habilitation, residential support, and respite care.
- Website: https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/state-actions-to-sustain-medicaid-long-term-services-and-supports-during-covid-19/
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Individualized Education Program (IEP):
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal legislation that guarantees special education and related services to children with disabilities who are eligible for public funding for education.
Students with an intellectual disability, communication impairment, or a major emotional disturbance are a few examples of those who might benefit from IDEA.
The IDEA governs how Georgia provides services to the 215,000 eligible K-12 students (in the 2021-22 school year) in traditional public schools, charter schools, state schools as well as the Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice.
- Website: https://gbpi.org/special-education-funding-in-georgia/
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Special Education Services:
Children with autism in Georgia are eligible for special education services that are created to fit each child’s specific requirements. IEPs, assistive technology, and specialized instruction are some of the services available for special education.
Those who qualify can get special education services from the Georgia Department of Education in public schools, and there are also private institutions that focus on helping kids with ASD.
- Website: https://www.thetreetop.com/aba-therapy/benefits-that-an-autistic-child-get-in-ga
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Support Groups:
Georgian families with autistic children can gain from support groups. Families can connect with others who are going through comparable experiences through support groups.
They can provide resources, counsel, and emotional support. A non-profit organization called the Autism Society of Georgia offers assistance and services to Georgian families with autistic children.
- Website: https://www.thetreetop.com/aba-therapy/benefits-that-an-autistic-child-get-in-ga
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Tax Credits:
There are several tax planning options that might help parents of children with special needs save money for their families. For instance, on your federal taxes, you can write off the cost of a variety of out-of-pocket charges.
- Child and Dependent Care Credit
provides coverage for dependent taxpayers’ work-related expenses. A dependent must be younger than 13 years old. If a child needs monitoring because of a disability, the age restriction is no longer valid.
According to Regulation 1.44A-1(b)(4), a dependent is deemed physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself if he or she cannot take care of their own dietary or hygiene needs or needs someone else’s full-time attention to ensure their safety or the safety of others.
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- Earned Income Credit
Depending on the number of children and filing status, families with AGIs under $51,567 may be eligible for EIC. Children under the age of 19 are typically excluded from EIC.
The child also qualifies if they are full-time students between the ages of 19 and 23.
There is no upper age limit for EIC if the seriously disabled child resides with his or her parent.
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- College Credits
The maximum American Opportunity Credit for the first four years of post-secondary study is $2,500 per student, each year. Up to 40% of the credit may be refunded.
The student must be enrolled more than half-time, working toward an undergraduate degree or another recognized educational certificate, and have no felony drug convictions.
Website: https://tacanow.org/family-resources/tax-strategies-for-parents-of-kids-with-special-needs/
FAQ
Is Georgia autism-friendly?
Through the DPH Georgia Autism Initiative, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is dedicated to assisting children and families with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related developmental delays.
How much money do you get a month for a child with autism?
Autism spectrum disorders receive an average disability check of $803.52. For SSI and SSDI, the maximum monthly payment for autism in 2023 is $914 and roughly $3,600, respectively.
These maximums apply regardless of what condition you have or whether you apply with one condition or multiple.
What programs are in Georgia for autistic children?
Georgia Autism Initiative is a statewide early intervention program that provides transition planning for children with ASD and their families from birth to age 21 as well as tests for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
What are the financial costs of autism?
According to estimates, adult services for autism in the US cost between $175 and $196 billion annually, compared to $61 and $66 billion for children.
On average, medical expenditures for children and adolescents with ASD were 4.1 to 6.2 times greater than for those without autism.
What is level 3 autism?
Significant difficulties in social contact and incredibly rigid behavior are traits of ASD level 3.
Children with level 3 autism will either be nonverbal or utilize a limited number of understandable words. Initiation of social interaction is very limited, as well as response to others.
What is the lowest state with autism?
In the United States, there are 1 in 100 cases of autism in 2022 compared to 1 in 150 cases in 2000.
Florida has the highest prevalence of autism diagnoses, whereas Texas has the lowest prevalence of autism diagnoses.
What kind of school is best for autistic children?
Public school may be a good option if you have a high-functioning child who would thrive in a diverse environment.
A private, specialist school can be the best option if your child needs more specialized care or a certain form of therapy.
What is the definition of autism in Georgia?
Autism is a developmental disorder that usually becomes apparent before the age of three.
It has a negative impact on a student’s academic achievement and has a substantial impact on verbal and nonverbal communication, social interaction, and engagement.
How does autism affect a family financially?
While families are having to pay more for care and services for their child with autism, they also bring in less income.
A 2012 study in Pediatrics (which looked at data from 2002 to 2007) revealed that: Families with an autistic kid experienced a 27 percent decrease in family income.
