"Jack is not autistic," declared the doctor confidently, observing as Jack effortlessly traversed the room, scaling furniture without ever touching the floor. As Jack playfully climbed up the doctor's side and back down again, the physician reassured me, "I understand your concerns, but I've seen autism before, and Jack doesn't exhibit those traits."
With Jack giggling in delight, his feet gracefully avoiding contact with the ground, his remarkable ability to navigate through the air left an indelible impression. At that moment, though I didn't fully realize it, unmistakable signs were unfolding before us. How reassuring it was to cling to the doctor's dismissal of our worries as a positive sign. Eagerly, on the way home, I phoned my friend—a seasoned mother of three—to share the encouraging news.
Her response, measured and direct, hinted at challenges ahead that I failed to grasp fully at the time. Little did I know the daunting journey awaiting me, fraught with obstacles, to reach a correct diagnosis for my child. The myriad factors that needed to align perfectly for me to provide accurate care seemed nothing short of miraculous. Were it not for supportive friends recommending skilled practitioners and residing in a resource-rich city like San Francisco, I shudder to think of the potential outcomes. A staggering 51% of families in the US supporting children with autism struggle with limited access to information and treatment options, as revealed by a study from Case Western Reserve University cited by Cigna Healthcare.
A friend wisely predicted that within a year, my knowledge about autism would surpass that of my son's pediatrician, a prophecy that proved true. Once you realize the vast landscape of available resources, many parents, including myself, become consumed with finding solutions. The tireless efforts and advocacy of devoted parents have propelled autism research forward, yet significant challenges persist. Any alteration in my son's care initiates a lengthy period of testing and data collection, irrespective of past treatment history.
Compounding the complexity, the specter of comorbidities within the autism community looms large, complicating both diagnosis and treatment. Disjointed approaches among healthcare providers and caregivers compartmentalize management, impeding seamless transitions between environments. It falls upon parents to uphold and advocate for continuity in treatment, a daunting responsibility.
Enter Sarah Glofcheskie, CEO and Founder of BeMe.ai, whose groundbreaking technology addresses these very challenges. BeMe.ai's innovative platform offers a comprehensive view of patient care, tracking everything from dietary habits to medication intake and behaviors. Accessible across various devices, it unifies all caregivers within a single ecosystem, fostering continuity of care. With this technology, Jack's educators can seamlessly communicate with his ABA team, ensuring a cohesive approach to his therapy sessions.
This technology promises to streamline diagnoses through meticulous data input by informed team members. As an autism mom and staunch supporter of the community, I am optimistic about our future because of innovations that elevate the standard of care. Technology can serve as a global equalizer, working to advance the care given by parents and caregivers, teachers, therapists, and doctors. It is the mission of the Global Autism Coalition to ensure that no parent faces a dearth of quality research and care, advocating tirelessly for a more inclusive and informed future.
Learn more information about BeMe.AI and the Global Autism Coalition, and stay tuned for more emerging technologies paving the way to create a standardization of care.
Heidi Kershaw is a Founder and the CEO of the Global Autism Coalition (GAC), an organization that secures the safety, livelihood, and success of the global autism community. Co-author Matthew Pfohl is a Strategic Advisor to GAC.
The Global Autism Coalition is a for-profit entity with a charitable arm that is fiscally sponsored by University Impact, a 501(c)(3) organization.
