Autism Spectrum Disorder

Client: Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit (AEIOU)
Sector: Social services

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects a significant number of people in Australia. Very little is known about the economic impact of ASD on individuals, their families and the wider community. Synergies was commissioned to undertake an examination of the potential economic costs of ASD in Australia. Read more...

The Autism Early Intervention Outcomes Unit (AEIOU) commissioned Synergies to conduct a study to develop a better understanding of the likely resource costs incurred by people with ASD, their carers, government and society.

The cost-based approach adopted by Synergies sought to estimate the resources required to deliver services that specifically relate to the condition of ASD. The study seeks to raise awareness of the costs associated with ASD and the extent of services and support that people with ASD and their families may require.

The study provided a preliminary estimate of the annual economic costs of ASD in Australia as being between $4.5 and $7.2 billion. The costs examined include healthcare, social services, education, employment, informal care and well-being. However, a number of costs were excluded due to lack of data (such as the costs of underemployment, alternative therapies, the cost of informal care for children and the cost of early intervention strategies). As a result, the estimated economic costs are likely to understate the full cost of ASD in Australia.

The study concluded that the most significant impacts are the reduction in income arising from reduced employment, as well as the cost of informal care. The impact on well-being is also particularly significant. The study also found that there is limited information on the social and economic outcomes for people with ASD in Australia.

The study was primarily based on desktop research, including a review of literature to understand the long term outcomes for people with ASD in Australia. The methodology adopted was similar to other methodologies employed in ‘cost of illness’ studies.

In addition to the ASD cost estimates, the project report provides a comprehensive overview of the methodology used in the study, economic and social outcomes of ASD and its cost implications.

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