Missouri's public education system is not prepared to deal with all the children being diagnosed with autism and that is going to become more and more mainstream and extremely costly down the road. In fact, we are hearing more each day, locally and nationally about the rising incidence of autism diagnosis. Once diagnosed 1 in 10,000, but now 1 in 144.
We need to seek out, train and put in place properly trained teachers prepared to lead these children forward. Failing to identify the children early and provide qualified personel to help them learn will cause a tremendous waste of human potential and funnel these special needs children into a lifetime of public dependence. The difference quality teachers can effect will be the difference between a child getting a few years of specialized early ed and then returning to the public system~yes, mainstream~ or not getting the early qualified help and that child growing up to become institutionalized and living off our tax dollars. Over their lifetime, the costs of not intervening and helping these children with autism to learn and develop very important social skills can cost up to $3 million!
Remember that Einstein was thought to be autistic~as well numerous others. The cure for cancer could conceivably be locked in one of those incredible, bright little minds, never to be unleashed. Regardless, we all have a duty to empower these children and we won't be able to do without properly rewarding those who are skilled at teaching these special children. Teachers are THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR in teaching children, especially children with autism.
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