The Costs of Autism

Posted on April 26, 2009 
Filed Under Life, Parenting, Physical Health, Social Concern

During “Autism Awareness Month” I’ve tried to bring readers important information and links about this condition, which can be a drain on a family’s emotional and spiritual well-being. A child with autism can also drain a family’s finances.

One of the things we’ve tried to do with our son, who has autism, is to invest heavily now in his treatments, hoping and praying that he will gain the knowledge and compensation skills needed to be a fully independent, productive and fulfilled individual when he grows up. Here’s one reason why:

According to a Harvard School of Public Health study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in the spring of 2007…people with autism spend twice as much as the typical American over their lifetimes (on medical care)…The societal costs to support a single person with autism is $3.2 million over his or her lifetime.

Those are startling numbers, and it seems prudent to spend money early on for therapies which might help the child with autism become less reliant on expensive, long-term support. I recognize that there are a variety of factors in a child’s well-being, and that many who are on the autism spectrum will require intense care for their entire lives. But for some, the costs of care can be lessened by early investments.

Read the full article (from which I puled the above quote) about the range of costs to raise a child with autism.

Comments

2 Responses to “The Costs of Autism”

  1. Tonya on April 29th, 2009 11:21 am

    Our family definitely understands the costs and sacrifices associated with autism. Our eldest daughter has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome - thankfully, a high-functioning form of autism. She recieves special education services and speech services through our local school district but everything else is on us. Our insurance company limits us to 20 visits annually for occupational and physical therapy - everything else is on us. We thought that we might get some relief through the TEFRA program but she was denied because of inability to meet the disability requirements - even though we’ve been told that there is a possibility she will not be able to live on her own due to motor planning difficulties. It is very frustrating. We are told that early and frequent intervention is necessary yet there are not enough services available and when they are, they are very expensive. With three other children to consider, the challenges are almost overwhelming. Thankfully God has provided in ways I never dreamed possible and our daughter has made tremendous progress over the past several years.

  2. J.C. on May 31st, 2009 9:51 am

    Autism is no longer a mystery. Medical study has established the two main causes.

    One cause is age, particularly the age of the father at conception. A 50-year-old father is far more likely to conceive an autistic child than a 20-year-old father is, regardless of the age of his wife.

    But the even bigger cause is mercury/cadmium toxicity, particularly from vaccines. In the 1990s, autism rates became 50 times higher than before, as Thimerosal became a widespread ingredient in immunization shots.

    So, preventing autism is simple. Have your kids when you’re young, and don’t let them get mercury shot into their systems.

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