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Families of children with Autism pay more for health care

A new study conducted by a University of Missouri faculty member found families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are paying more for health care than families of children with other medical conditions. Assistant professor Nancy Cheak-Zamora says families are paying more for fewer services: “Most of the families, she says, "spent over one-thousand dollars or more just in out of pocket costs, which is significantly higher than other families.”

A recent Missouri law requires health insurance providers to cover certain forms of autism treatment. Cheak-Zamora says that was a good step, but that more laws of that nature could help even more.  

“It’s so the kids just don’t think they’re coming and standing in line to get lunch. We’re going to have the Bookmobile here on Mondays, Girl Scouts will be here every Tuesday, Mike from Public works— he’s kind of interesting. He gives them grabbers and little vests and garbage bags and they go around and pick up trash. And he also brings a magnifying thing that has bugs in it and they just love it.”  

Lunch in the Park is open to all children under eighteen and their parents. It will take place every weekday at Douglass Park from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. through August 10.