A recent study of the California Department of Developmental Services (CDDS)'s spending across medical, non-medical, and productivity costs indicates that adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have the highest non-medical costs of any disability. These non-medical costs include: educational and transportation assistance; behavioral, occupational, and speech therapy; and family caregiver time.
Furthermore, the costs escalate as individuals with ASD age into adulthood. The study notes that the per-person spending for males and females were approximately the same: $10,488 and $10,791 for males and females (ages 3–17), and $26,491 and $26,627 for ages 18+.
Paul Leigh, professor of public health sciences at the University of California, Davis, led the study. According to Leigh, “Our findings can help stakeholders, including legislators and health insurance administrators, accurately estimate the costs of autism services and plan their budgets to meet the lifelong need for those services.”
Questions: While this is only one study of one state with unique characteristics, what impact do you see individuals with ASD having on your programs' need for wrap around services and learner outcomes? The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) will require adult education programs to work collaboratively with states' department of rehabilitation in providing some of these non-medical services. Are you prepared? What challenges do you see lying ahead as we shift towards serving more adults with ASD in adult education programs?
Mike Cruse
Disabilities in Adult Education Moderator
michaelcruse74@gmail.com