The burden of Autism

By HARIATI AZIZAN (The Star, Sunday April 27, 2008)

Autistic children need a range of intensive therapies

In Malaysia, awareness of autism has increased in the last few years but more research is needed to assess the situation and to draft an efficient support system to address it.

A MAXIMUM of US$80,000 (RM251,075.12) a year – that’s the cost estimated by the Autism Society of America (ASA) for the average parent or family to look after an autistic child in the United States.

Broken down, this amounts to US$6,666.70 per month (RM20,992.90).

This figure covers the cost of “modern” treatment such as early intervention, physiotherapy, speech therapy, behavioural therapy and others.

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