"Special Education: Children with Autism", GAO Report

The General Accounting Office report, "Special Education: Children with Autism" (Jan. 2005) found the average estimated cost of educating an autistic student at more than $18,000 each year. The GAO Autism Report is made available electronically at URL:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05220.pdf

The GAO report made several key findings, including:

* Data collected for the Department of Education indicated that the number of children ages 6-21 diagnosed with autism and served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has increased by more than 500% in the last ten years.

* Children receiving services for autism under IDEA increased from under 20,000 in 1993 to almost 120,000 in 2002 (the most recent year for which figures are available).

* The estimated per pupil expenditure by disability in 1999-2000 indicated that autistic children cost the Federal Government $18,800 per student, up from $12,500 for the average special education student. Children not enrolled in special education classes - "regular education" students - cost approximately $6,556 annually.

* Approximately 68% of the total expenditures for children with autism (an estimated $12,773) were used on instruction and related services.

Source: Media Advisory, Office Of Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN)

For more information and resources on autism go to:
http://www.autismconcepts.com/.