Autism Care Costs Exceed $236 Billion A Year

The cost of caring for Americans diagnosed with some form of autism totals more than $236 Billion dollars per year. That's close to what the federal government currently pays in interest on the national debt.

A new study finds the lifetime cost of caring for someone with autism can range from roughly 1.4 million to more than 2.4 million dollars.

The biggest costs tied to the developmental disorder in children includes special education and lost on-the-job productivity for the parents who take care of them.

One of the major costs for autistic adults is their living expenses since they often require care in a special facility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates more than three-and-a-half million Americans have some form of autism.

[Metro Networks]