Autism Costs Soaring

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REPS. BURTON & WATSON ANNOUNCE FINDINGS OF GAO REPORT ON AUTISM EDUCATION COSTS

- AVERAGE EXPENDITURE ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $18,000 PER AUTISTIC PUPIL ANNUALLY -

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) and Congresswoman Diane
Watson (D-CA) announced today the findings of the Government Accountability
Office (GAO) study on the costs of educating individuals afflicted with some
type of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

"The results of this report are truly sobering," stated Chairman Burton.
"With 1.5 million Americans now living with some form of ASD, it is becoming
more widely known how debilitating a disease autism can be, but not very
many people consider the practical implications, such as the costs of
educating autistic individuals."

Said Rep. Watson, "The GAO Report confirms that autism has increased at
alarming rates in the United States - more than 500% over the past decade -
and that the cost of educating autistic children is significantly higher
than that of educating children with many other disabilities. The GAO
Report suggests that better diagnosis and a broader definition of autism may
in part explain the substantial increase in autistic children. However, I
believe that further studies should be undertaken of other risk factors,
including the correlation between mercury-containing vaccines and higher
rates of autism."

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.

Concluded Chairman Burton, "To have a 500-percent increase in the number of
kids requiring special education services at nearly 3 times the cost of a
'regular education' student is just astounding. Coming on the heels of last
week's revelation that Merck Pharmaceuticals knew as early as 1991 that
mercury-containing vaccines had potentially devastating effects on children,
this study should serve as a rude awakening to the problem we are facing."

Representatives Burton and Watson previously served as Chairman and Ranking
Minority Member respectively of the Government Reform Subcommittee on Human
Rights and Wellness (2003-2004), where they held several hearings examining
the possible correlation of mercury-containing vaccines and increasing
incidents of autism.

For more information regarding Chairman Burton's legislative and
investigative efforts on autism and Federal vaccine policy, please visit his
website at www.house.gov/burton/wellness. A copy of the GAO report,
entitled "Special Education: Children with Autism," is available at
www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-05-220.



Nick Mutton
Press Secretary
Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN-5)
2185 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-2276 - office
(202) 225-9560 - cell
(202) 225-0016 - fax