Early Intervention
The executive summary of the MADSEC Report (Maine Administrators of Services
for Children with Disabilities. Feb. 2000(Rev. Ed.) states the following:
The importance of early, intensive intervention for children
with autism cannot be overstated.Numerous studies have
concluded that outcomes are substantially more positive when the children
begin receiving effective, intensive intervention as early as possible in
life (including the potential to recover normal functioning such that an
autistic child may become virtually indistinguishable from his/her peers)
(e.g. Fenske, et al, 1985; Lovaas, 1987; Maurice, 1993; Perry, Cohen &
DeCarlo, 1995).
Furthermore, early, intensive, effective
intervention offers the hope of significant cost/benefit advantages
(Jacobson, Mulick & Green, 1996).
In contrast, it is likely that 90% of children who
do not receive effective early intervention will require special or
custodial care throughout their lives. This is estimated to cost the US over
$13 billion a year (FEAT, 1996) (MADSEC 6).
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- 1 in 150 births, 1 in 94 boys
- 1 to 1.5 million Americans
- Fastest growing developmental disability
- 10 - 17% annual growth
- Growth comparison during the 1990s (U.S.
Department of Education's twenty-first Annual Report to Congress on the
Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (1999) :
U.S. population increase: 13%
Disabilities increase: 16%
Autism increase: 172%
- $90 billion annual cost (Jarbrink K, Knapp M,
2001, London School of
Economics study:
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"The economic impact of autism in Britain, (Jarbrink
7-22)
- Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnoses and
intervention (Jarbrink 7-22)
- In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion (ASA
calculations February 2003)
Further the most recent U.S. Department of Education's 2002 report to
congress on IDEA reveals that the number of students with autism in
America's schools jumped an alarming 1,354% in the eight-year period from
the school year 1991-92 to 2000-2001. (ASA)
Report
of the MADSEC Autism
Task Force |
