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The Cost of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Author

Listed:
  • Chiara Horlin
  • Marita Falkmer
  • Richard Parsons
  • Matthew A Albrecht
  • Torbjorn Falkmer

Abstract

Objective: A diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorders is usually associated with substantial lifetime costs to an individual, their family and the community. However, there remains an elusive factor in any cost-benefit analysis of ASD diagnosis, namely the cost of not obtaining a diagnosis. Given the infeasibility of estimating the costs of a population that, by its nature, is inaccessible, the current study compares expenses between families whose children received a formal ASD diagnosis immediately upon suspecting developmental atypicality and seeking advice, with families that experienced a delay between first suspicion and formal diagnosis. Design: A register based questionnaire study covering all families with a child with ASD in Western Australia. Participants: Families with one or more children diagnosed with an ASD, totalling 521 children diagnosed with an ASD; 317 records were able to be included in the final analysis. Results: The median family cost of ASD was estimated to be AUD $34,900 per annum with almost 90% of the sum ($29,200) due to loss of income from employment. For each additional symptom reported, approximately $1,400 cost for the family per annum was added. While there was little direct influence on costs associated with a delay in the diagnosis, the delay was associated with a modest increase in the number of ASD symptoms, indirectly impacting the cost of ASD. Conclusions: A delay in diagnosis was associated with an indirect increased financial burden to families. Early and appropriate access to early intervention is known to improve a child's long-term outcomes and reduce lifetime costs to the individual, family and society. Consequently, a per symptom dollar value may assist in allocation of individualised funding amounts for interventions rather than a nominal amount allocated to all children below a certain age, regardless of symptom presentation, as is the case in Western Australia.

Suggested Citation

  • Chiara Horlin & Marita Falkmer & Richard Parsons & Matthew A Albrecht & Torbjorn Falkmer, 2014. "The Cost of Autism Spectrum Disorders," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(9), pages 1-11, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0106552
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106552
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deanna Sharpe & Dana Baker, 2007. "Financial Issues Associated with Having a Child with Autism," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 28(2), pages 247-264, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Craig Thompson & Sven Bölte & Torbjörn Falkmer & Sonya Girdler, 2018. "To be understood: Transitioning to adult life for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Louis John Camilleri, 2022. "Exploring the Lived Experiences of Fathers of Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Narrative Inquiry," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.

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