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Autism cost-effectiveness of therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Overview

Treatment is expensive; indirect costs are more so. A U.S. study estimated an average cost of $3.2 million in 2003 U.S. dollars for someone born in 2000, with about 10% medical care, 30% extra education and other care, and 60% lost economic productivity.[1] Publicly supported programs are often inadequate or inappropriate for a given child, and unreimbursed out-of-pocket medical or therapy expenses are associated with likelihood of family financial problems;[2] a 2008 U.S. study found a 14% average loss of annual income in families of children with ASD.[3] After childhood, key treatment issues include residential care, job training and placement, sexuality, social skills, and estate planning.[4]

References

References

  1. Ganz ML (2007). “The lifetime distribution of the incremental societal costs of autism”. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 161 (4): 343–9. PMID 17404130. Lay summaryHarvard School of Public Health (2006-04-25).
  2. Sharpe DL, Baker DL (2007). “Financial issues associated with having a child with autism”. J Fam Econ Iss. 28 (2): 247–64. doi:10.1007/s10834-007-9059-6.
  3. Montes G, Halterman JS (2008). “Association of childhood autism spectrum disorders and loss of family income”. Pediatrics. 121 (4): e821–6. doi:10.1542/peds.2007-1594. PMID 18381511.
  4. Aman MG (2005). “Treatment planning for patients with autism spectrum disorders”. J Clin Psychiatry. 66 (Suppl 10): 38–45. PMID 16401149.

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