Study shows Autism costs heavily for American families

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1 (Chinese media) -- More than half a

million U.S. children have autism, taking a major financial toll on their

families, a new study showed.

Families with autistic kids pay more for the kids'

health needs, spend more time providing or arranging for that care, and are more

likely to have money difficulties, according to the study by researchers at the

government's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Compared with parents whose youngsters have chronic

health care needs but not autism, those with autistic children are three times

more likely to have to quit their jobs or reduce work hours to care for their

kids, said the study appearing in the December issue of Pediatrics.

"This is the first national survey that looked at the

impact on families of having kids with special health care needs," said lead

author Michael Kogan.

The researchers conducted a nationwide survey of

nearly 40,000 children with special health care needs between 2005-06. These

children have a broad range of chronic conditions, including physical and mental

illness, requiring more extensive than usual medical care.

A total of 2,088 children with special health needs

had autism, which translates to about 535,000 kids aged 3 to 17 nationwide, the

study authors said.

Children affected with autism often need many more

types of treatment than kids with other chronic conditions, including speech and

behavior therapy and sometimes medication.

Kogan said that may explain the disproportionate

strain on their families.