A diagnosis of autism can come in infancy but it very often happens around the child's second or third birthday. When families receive that word, there's no time to lose.

Early, intensive intervention is the key. For one heartland family, it's critical in giving their child the best chance at a normal life.

Mary Wagner Richie's five-year-old son Abram is autistic. He was diagnosed at the age of two.

"I had no idea what autism was," Mary says. "Of course it was, and is, the stereotypical Rain Man."

Mary has learned a lot since then. She knows that autism can range from mild to severe and there is no stereotypical child. She also knows that early, intensive intervention is necessary in helping her son Abram live a normal life.

Mary says, "Abram gets 40 hours plus a week of one-on-one therapy. We currently have four therapists."

Abram is one of a small number of autistic kids receiving what's called Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. It's the only researched and proven way of treating a young child with autism.

This type of therapy comes at a high price. It costs $60,000 a year and it comes right out of the pockets of Abram's family.

"My husband works a lot of long hours to pay for this," Mary says.

Therapy for Abram is a six day a week event. The family tries to take Sundays off.

It's overwhelming but Mary says it's something anyone would do if they had to.

"You just do," she says. "You want to see light at the end of the tunnel and you just hope and pray."

Abram is now in his third year of therapy and he's making progress. His language skills have improved, he dresses himself, he makes good eye contact and he has retained all that he's learned.

Abram's mom and dad also serve as therapists.

Mary says it's worth every minute and every penny to give her child a chance at living life to the fullest.

"I just want to spend every second with him. He's the light of our lives," she says.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, early intervention works for many children.

Families in Nebraska are currently lobbying the state legislature for help in covering the cost of ABA therapy and a similar push is happening across the nation. Families and some national lawmakers are appealing to insurance companies to change their stance.