Parents of children with autism can end up spending between $1.4 and $2.4 million to pay for the lifetime costs of support for a person with autism, according to a new study by Autism Speaks released Monday.
Lost wages are a critical driver for the lifetime cost of autism, as parents leave work to care for their autistic children and adults with the disorder fail to find or maintain employment, Mandell said.
"This study presents the most comprehensive estimates to date of the financial costs of ASDs in the United States and the United Kingdom," the research team concluded in a statement.
"These costs are much higher than previously suggested. There is also an urgent need for a better understanding of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of interventions and support arrangements that address the needs and respond to the preferences of individuals with ASDs and their families. Because the economic effects of ASDs in individuals with or without intellectual disability are considerable throughout life, so too should the search for more efficient and equitable use of resources span all age groups."
In the study, researchers gathered data on a variety of economic concerns related to autism spectrum disorder, both in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
"This study shows us what we've all known but never had the data to support -- that autism is alarmingly expensive," said Michael Rosanoff, associate director of public health for Autism Speaks, the nonprofit advocacy group that funded the research.
Medical care for children with autism can cost between $6,467 and $18,106 a year, depending on the age of the child and the level of intellectual disability. For adults with autism, medical costs range between $13,580 and $27,159 annually, according to the study.
