Lack of autism facilities in US concerning for families

In the United States there are only nine inpatient facilities that could properly care for children with severe autism. 

"There is very little support research wise." ECMC Assistant Medical Director Dr. Michael Cummings said, "It is a very taboo conversation. Major funders, whether it's nonprofit or government agencies, in many ways ignore this."

For children with severe autism, they sometimes "aggressively act out" which means they will physically harm themselves and those around them. 

"You can't control your child. You can't stop him from putting his head through the wall you can't stop him from putting his head through the window" Debbie Cordone, the mother to a severely autistic son said. 

Debbie Cordone wants a facility built in New York State. The closest one is in Baltimore, which is over six hours away. 

"You just want to help your child" Cordone said, "It's all you want, to desperately help your child."

To help her son, Cordone will be speaking at the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee in April, and with her, she will be bringing this petition in hopes that more funds can go towards more fulltime inpatient facilities. Something that Dr. Cummings said will be packed. 

"We could fill a center every year with our patients (in WNY) alone" Dr. Cummings said. 

To sign Cordone's petition hoping for more research into severe autism, and for more funding to go towards facilities you can click the link here.