New research has been conducted on the cost of autism and studies show that supporting someone with this condition is actually a lot more expensive than what was previously reported. For individuals who have the highest needs and require urgent care clinics, the cost reaches up to $2.4 million in the USA and £1.5 million in the UK, and this is according to experts from the two countries. In fact, in the UK alone, autism costs more than stroke, cancer and heart disease combined. However, only £6.60 is spent per person when it comes to research for autism, a very small amount when compared with cancer’s budget of £295.
Knowing the Facts: UK and Autism
The UK spent at least £32 billion each year for Autism, specifically for lost earnings, treatment and care and support for adults and children who have ASD and require urgent care clinic. But the country only spent £8 billion for heart disease, £5 billion for stroke and £12 billion for cancer. These figures show that there is a need for more autism treatments that are more effective.
According to the lead researcher of the London School of Economics and Political Science Martin Knapp, the need for interventions that are more effective is ideal in the early life, so that scarce resources are used more efficiently. Knapp also believes it is important for patients to be identified earlier so it will be easier to manage the condition. Knapp also believes there is a need for the government to create new policies to address the huge impact this condition has on families who have members that require urgent care.
What Experts Say
Christine Swabey, the Autism Research Charity’s chief executive, believes that the amount spent on autism research and the high cost on the condition itself is unacceptable. Swabey believes that with the right kind of research would give mental health that is much better, early interventions and a lot more independence. This is impossible right now because of the expenditures, as there is only £180 allotted for research for every £1 million spent on care. In the UK, there are more than 600,000 who have the condition. Autism is a disorder that is developmental. It can cause social interaction problems, physical behavior and even language skills. Parents who have children with autism are often troubled and ask, “Where is an urgent care near me?” to address these conditions. But experts believe that with the right kind of research, a lot of patients will be assisted.
