Comments on: The Costs of Autism http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:34:16 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Finances, Costs and Gains http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-565058 Finances, Costs and Gains Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:55:48 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-565058 [...] relative is frequently noted, and perhaps even more in a time of economic uncertainty. A 2006 book, Understanding Autism: From Basic Neuroscience to Treatment by Michael Ganz, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Society, Human Development, and Health at the [...] [...] relative is frequently noted, and perhaps even more in a time of economic uncertainty. A 2006 book, Understanding Autism: From Basic Neuroscience to Treatment by Michael Ganz, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Society, Human Development, and Health at the [...]

]]> By: Paying the Bills: Seeking Insurance Coverage in Missouri http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-553442 Paying the Bills: Seeking Insurance Coverage in Missouri Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:50:06 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-553442 [...] feel they have to do everything they can to help their child do the best she or he can, whatever it costs and the general effect on one’s finances and [...] [...] feel they have to do everything they can to help their child do the best she or he can, whatever it costs and the general effect on one’s finances and [...]

]]> By: This Year, An Autism Spending Surge—-What About Next Year? http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-540748 This Year, An Autism Spending Surge—-What About Next Year? Tue, 18 Dec 2007 09:01:23 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-540748 [...] toll on patients and their families, and the expense to society. His arguments are reinforced by a 2006 Harvard School of Public Health study that estimated that autism costs the country $35 billion per year in treatment and lost [...] [...] toll on patients and their families, and the expense to society. His arguments are reinforced by a 2006 Harvard School of Public Health study that estimated that autism costs the country $35 billion per year in treatment and lost [...]

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-526795 Kristina Chew, PhD Fri, 28 Apr 2006 20:04:11 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-526795 A question that needs to be considered is to what use do those figures for the "annual cost to society of caring for autistic persons." I have seen these sorts of million and billion dollar figures cited as evidence for why autism needs to be cured--because the "cost to society" is too great. I should also note that Prof. Ganz lists, for comparative purposes, the "estimated annual costs of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease ($91 billion); mental retardation ($51 billion); anxiety ($47 billion); and schizophrenia ($33 billion)." A question that needs to be considered is to what use do those figures for the “annual cost to society of caring for autistic persons.” I have seen these sorts of million and billion dollar figures cited as evidence for why autism needs to be cured–because the “cost to society” is too great.

I should also note that Prof. Ganz lists, for comparative purposes, the “estimated annual costs of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease ($91 billion); mental retardation ($51 billion); anxiety ($47 billion); and schizophrenia ($33 billion).”

]]> By: Camille http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-526794 Camille Fri, 28 Apr 2006 07:31:43 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-526794 Who is factoring in the taxes paid and the benefits to society by autism spectrum people? Are we going to divide all the autistics below IQ 90 and call them a burden and everyone above not, well the majority of the 1 in 166 are above 90 IQ... and a few of them are billionaires providing employment for masses of people. If you look a the bell curve, this country has as many people below 80 IQ as as it does above 120 IQ. Lots and lots of people in both groups. Is someone working out the cost to society of the 100 IQ gang-bangers and drug dealers who are very likely not autistics? Is autism a sort of vaccine against becoming a drug dealer/bank robber? If so, isn't that a good thing? How many autistics grow up to be rapists and pick pockets? How many grow up and become porno producers? Maybe some, but I think the big burdens in this world are, proportionately, normal people. This putting a price on autistics makes me sick. It's a cheap shot. Who is factoring in the taxes paid and the benefits to society by autism spectrum people?

Are we going to divide all the autistics below IQ 90 and call them a burden and everyone above not, well the majority of the 1 in 166 are above 90 IQ… and a few of them are billionaires providing employment for masses of people.

If you look a the bell curve, this country has as many people below 80 IQ as as it does above 120 IQ. Lots and lots of people in both groups.
Is someone working out the cost to society of the 100 IQ gang-bangers and drug dealers who are very likely not autistics? Is autism a sort of vaccine against becoming a drug dealer/bank robber? If so, isn’t that a good thing? How many autistics grow up to be rapists and pick pockets? How many grow up and become porno producers? Maybe some, but I think the big burdens in this world are, proportionately, normal people.

This putting a price on autistics makes me sick. It’s a cheap shot.

]]> By: ebohlman http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-526793 ebohlman Fri, 28 Apr 2006 04:59:57 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-526793 Note that the "lost productivity for parents" figures are based on a comparison of the costs incurred by a couple with an autistic kid and the costs incurred by a childless couple, not the costs incurred by a couple with a neurotypical kid. As for "difference in potential income for a person with autism and a person without it" the hidden assumption is that income is allocated on an objectively meritocratic basis. In reality, one can calculate the difference in potential income in a male associated with each inch of height below six feet. I'm also pretty sure that they're using the standard 75%-incidence-of-MR figure in these calculations. If they had used mean *wealth* as a measure, they'd have found an actual advantage to autism, although their statistical judgment would have been questionable; wealth distribution in the US is so skewed that any group that includes Bill Gates is going to compare favorably to any group that doesn't. Note that the “lost productivity for parents” figures are based on a comparison of the costs incurred by a couple with an autistic kid and the costs incurred by a childless couple, not the costs incurred by a couple with a neurotypical kid.

As for “difference in potential income for a person with autism and a person without it” the hidden assumption is that income is allocated on an objectively meritocratic basis. In reality, one can calculate the difference in potential income in a male associated with each inch of height below six feet. I’m also pretty sure that they’re using the standard 75%-incidence-of-MR figure in these calculations.

If they had used mean *wealth* as a measure, they’d have found an actual advantage to autism, although their statistical judgment would have been questionable; wealth distribution in the US is so skewed that any group that includes Bill Gates is going to compare favorably to any group that doesn’t.

]]> By: Kristina Chew, PhD http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-526792 Kristina Chew, PhD Fri, 28 Apr 2006 02:03:38 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-526792 Ditto, Mom-NOS! I'm trying to research some of those costs you mention, Ballastexistenz...... Ditto, Mom-NOS!

I’m trying to research some of those costs you mention, Ballastexistenz……

]]> By: mom-nos http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-526791 mom-nos Fri, 28 Apr 2006 01:42:15 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-526791 "Lost productivity" is a loaded phrase. I have a full-time, well-paying job and I do it well. But my most productive time is the time I spend with Bud. Time with my interesting, funny, smart, playful boy: Priceless. “Lost productivity” is a loaded phrase. I have a full-time, well-paying job and I do it well. But my most productive time is the time I spend with Bud.

Time with my interesting, funny, smart, playful boy: Priceless.

]]> By: Ballastexistenz http://www.blisstree.com/articles/the-costs-of-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-526790 Ballastexistenz Thu, 27 Apr 2006 23:03:35 +0000 http://autismvox.com/the-costs-of-autism/#comment-526790 I still want to know the cost of providing signage, nighttime lighting, and other accommodations for the sighted. I still want to know the cost of providing signage, nighttime lighting, and other accommodations for the sighted.

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