It’s certainly a diagnosis no parent wants to hear.
The CDC estimates one out of every 68 children has some form of autism.
However, Ella Barfield is a bubbly 4-year-old with a slight motivation for chocolate.
She also has a knack for getting things done.
“I knew for quite a while. As a mom, I knew that she was on the spectrum,” said her mother Mary Susan Barfield.
Last year, Ella was diagnosed with a mild form of autism.
“People like my daughter and other children…they may never meet their full potential,” Barfield mentioned.
After school, in her bedroom, she receives applied behavior analysis therapy.
It helps to treat behaviors associated with autism.
“It’s very much breaking the bank,” added Barfield.
In 2007 South Carolina passed Ryan’s Law, requiring the state regulated health plans to cover treatments.
However, it’s limited to large group plans and state employees.
“Our insurance doesn’t cover one penny. We paid over this year after receiving a diagnosis thousands of dollars,” Barfield said.
This week, Mary along with members from Autism Speaks; spoke in front of the senate banking and insurance committee in Columbia for an amendment that would strengthen the current law.
“At the end of the day it was for the good of my child and the good for other children with autism,” Barfield explained.
The amendment passed in committee and will go to the full senate next Tuesday.
South Carolina could join 11 other states to strengthen their laws this year.
