Investment in service models to support autistic people could improve quality of life and generate substantial social and economic benefits for the UK, according to a report from the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre (CPEC) at LSE.
The report, "The economic case for prioritising autism in policy and reform", highlights significant opportunities for improvement across multiple critical life domains.
Employment
Only 30 per cent of autistic adults are in employment, despite 77 per cent expressing a desire to work. Doubling the employment rate for autistic adults could generate potential societal savings of £900 million to £1.5 billion annually. Individual Placement and Support (IPS) programmes have shown particular promise in helping autistic individuals secure and maintain meaningful employment.
Healthcare
Autistic individuals experience poorer health outcomes and have a shorter life expectancy compared to non-autistic people. Annual health checks have been identified as critical, offering a cost-effective method to identify and address unmet health needs while potentially reducing future healthcare costs. Notably, the CPEC research highlights specific challenges in areas like eating disorders and mental health support. The Pathway for Eating disorders and Autism developed from Clinical Experience (PEACE) showed how specialised approaches can lead to shorter hospital stays and substantial NHS savings.
Childhood support
The Paediatric Autism Communication Therapy (PACT) study demonstrated remarkable long-term benefits, showing societal savings of £43,050 per person after six years. This highlights not only the potential but also the affordability of early intervention in improving communication and social skills for young autistic children.
Mental health
Many autistic children experience mental health conditions, yet only a fraction receive adequate support. Mental Health Support Teams in schools show significant potential, with recovery rates of 59 per cent for anxiety and 49 per cent for depression, and a remarkable benefit-to-cost ratio of 22.
Bullying
Bullying disproportionately affects autistic children. The KiVa anti-bullying programme has shown cost-effectiveness, generating a return of up to £7.52 for every £1 spent by reducing the long-term consequences of bullying.
Parental and familial support
The economic impact extends to families as well. Parents of children with developmental disabilities face significant challenges, with reduced employment opportunities costing around £5,800 annually per family. Programmes like the Stepping Stones Positive Parenting Programme have shown potential in supporting parents and reducing challenging behaviours.
The study calls for a coordinated approach, with specific recommendations including:
- Prioritising autism through the National Autism Strategy
- Investing in evidence-based services
- Scaling up effective interventions like PACT and Individual Placement and Support
- Ensuring autistic individuals and their families shape research and policy
- Investing in research to address existing evidence gaps
Professor Martin Knapp, lead author and Professor of Health and Social Care Policy at LSE, said: “The research provides a compelling case for comprehensive, coordinated support across education, employment, healthcare, and social care. By addressing systemic barriers and investing in targeted interventions, there is potential to significantly improve the lives of autistic individuals and generate substantial economic and societal benefits.”