News Release, 10 April 2000
The additional lifetime cost to society for people with autistic spectrum disorder could be as much as three million pounds per person according to the first research commissioned by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, part of the Mental Health Foundation, with funding from the Shirley Foundation.
"This research shows for the first time the true cost of autism and Asperger's syndrome," said Dr Jo Borrill, clinical research manager, Mental Health Foundation. "It is a very strong argument for more energy and resources to be directed towards early interventions which may reduce the need for such intensive services later. It also highlights the need for more supported employment opportunities which will make it easier for people with autism to fulfil their own potential within society."
The research, undertaken by Krister Jarbrink and Professor Martin Knapp at the Centre for the Economics of Mental Health, Institute of Psychiatry, calculated the additional direct and indirect economic costs of autism to family, health and social services, education and residential care. The findings indicated that the greatest costs, potentially £40,000 per year per person, were those of residential care for adults with autism, while less than £13,000 of this is spent on special education for children, where early intervention may have the biggest impact.
"We already know that early work with children with autism and their families can produce improvements in communication and social behaviour. But we need to know more about the long-term impact of projects in order that we can invest confidently in the future development of children and young people with autism," commented Jo Borrill.
"We know of hundreds of parents who face active opposition from public authorities when they try to instigate a programme of early intervention for their children. Many are forced to take out loans and suffer financial hardship," commented Su Thomas, chair of PACE (Parents' Autism Campaign for Education).
"It seems that local authorities are prepared to spend money opposing parents in costly legal battles, rather than in investing in these children's futures. We hope this report will help them realise that investing in intensive early intervention could actually save public money".
There are currently estimated to be 500,000 people in the UK with autistic spectrum disorders, including autism, high-functioning autism and Asperger's syndrome. Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects the way a person communicates and relates to people around them. Currently, sixty per cent of children with typical autism will grow up to be dependent on adults in all aspects of life. Just below ten per cent of children diagnosed with autism do very well in adult life. Children diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome tend to do better as adults than those with autism but without support they may be at increased risk of depression, alcohol problems, and suicide in adolescence.
Further details of the research findings can be found in The Cost of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Updates: Volume 1, Issue 17, April 2000. Published by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities.
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Note to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
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