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Autism Families Need a Total Money Makeover

Posted on November 30th, 2008 by admin

There has been a lot of talk about the divorce rate of families who have a child with autism. Is the divorce rate higher? Some people have said that the divorce rate is as high as 80%, but this seems to be a number pulled out of thin air and mentioned on Oprah.

One thing does seem certain, autism often causes a major financial strain on families. If you were on the brink of financial problems, a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, may push you over the brink. As anyone who listens to Dave Ramey knows, “money fights and money problems are the #1 cause of divorce.” So, it stands to reason that families impacted by autism may have a higher risk of divorce. The X factor in the divorce and autism debate is just how many couples end up closer and/or end up staying together for their child with autism?

This may fall under the category of “DUH” for autism parents, but a new study was just released that says autism puts a strain on family finances.

Study shows families’ financial strain from autism

CHICAGO - More than half a million U.S. children have autism with costly health care needs that often put an unprecedented financial strain on their families, national data show.

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. They pay more for their kids’ health needs, spend more time providing or arranging for that care, and are more likely to have money difficulties, the study found.

“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, a researcher with the government’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.