April is Autism Awareness month. Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, describes developmental disabilities or disorders that may impact the ability of an individual to socialize, communicate, and learn. Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that 1 in 68 American children are autistic. This is a ten-fold increase since 1970. Studies show that the increase is partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness. Current research suggests that autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls. It is estimated that 1 out of 42 boys and 1 out of 189 girls are autistic in the United States.

A cause for autism has yet to be determined. In 1998, a British medical journal, The Lancet, published a paper indicating that the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella) was a cause of autism. Specifically, the Lancet suggested that a preservative used in the MMR vaccine, called “thimerosal,” which contains mercury, was the culprit.

The Lancet discredited and retracted the 1998 paper in early 2010. A study performed by the CDC found no link between the vaccine or thimerosal. In 2009, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims denied several parents’ claims for money from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. The court found that the MMR vaccine did not cause their children’s autism.

The debate rages on. You should discuss any concerns you have about vaccines with your child’s doctor.

Having a child with autism may impact a family law case. Raising an autistic child typically leads to increased financial costs for the family. Typically, autistic children tend to have greater medical and healthcare needs, as well as additional costs related to specialized school tuition. Financial support for autistic children may extend into adulthood as well, depending on the severity of their disorder. For severely autistic adults, a guardianship and/or conservatorship may be established to help handle legal and financial issues.

Autistic children also have educational needs. American children are entitled to a free public education. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is designed to make sure that children with certain disabilities get a “free appropriate public education” (FAPE). Children covered by the IDEA are entitled to special education programs and services tailored for their specific needs. They are also entitled to be taught in a traditional classroom as much as possible. Further, the IDEA gives autistic children and their families the right to “early intervention services” before they begin school, including family training, nursing, and physical therapy.

Family law attorneys must consider these medical, financial, and educational needs for children with autism when calculating child support in a Missouri family law case. Additionally, a family law attorney must be aware of all of these special needs when formulating a parenting plan for child custody.

If you have an autistic child and are facing any sort of Missouri family law case, please contact us or call us at (573)686-2459 to discuss your family law needs. Additionally, to learn more about Autism, go to Autism Speaks‘ website.