Help us reduce our 5,000+ waitlist of Southern Nevada children and families who need autism services and support.
“Parents who have a child with Autism or suspect that their child may have Autism need access to help, direction, support, and services as soon as possible. The longer the wait the more anxiety, frustration,and deficits grow. The sooner children receive services, the better the long-term outcomes, and the lower overall financial cost. Any wait is too long!”
Julie F. Beasley, Ph.D., Child Neuropsychologist at Grant a Gift Autism Foundation Ackerman Center
In Nevada, and Las Vegas in particular, we still need to do more to serve those with autism and their families. While exceptional care is available, it is too limited, and families often have to leave the state to access services, because they cannot find resources here. Wait lists are long, and the expense is often too much for the families to bear. And when these kids become adults, the support they need can disappear just when they need it the most.
The Crisis Facing Autism in Southern Nevada
Overall, Nevada is an underserved medical region, ranked 50th for healthcare in the nation. For pediatrics, the state ranks very low or near the bottom in the nation.
Currently, over 20,000 children each year leave the state for their medical care. Autism is a primary example of the underserved need in Nevada. Autism patients must wait a minimum of 9 months for an initial diagnostic evaluation. Most of these patients are children.
We have too many children waiting too long to receive an initial evaluation for Autism services, ultimately due to the low Medicaid reimbursement rates and the lack of understanding for this lifelong medical condition. Children with autism and the families who support them need our help and they need it now.
We will not stop until there are none.
Campaign Goals: By The Numbers
With your support, we can substantially reduce the waitlist for diagnostic and clinical services as well as increase the number of youth in Southern Nevada diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Ready to make a difference?
Contact our team for questions on how to help fund our work.