“My kids need what they need”. Additional family costs for meeting the everyday, non-specialist needs of children on the autism spectrum

While it’s broadly recognised that children on the autism spectrum and their families face high financial costs, until now, cost estimates have not included analysis of everyday non-specialist goods and services. Focusing on a selection of everyday items, the study finds that the additional costs of meeting everyday needs are significant. These additional costs exist because children on the autism spectrum require personal and household goods of a higher quality, they need a higher number of items, and those items need to be replaced more frequently. These specifications are explained by a range of sensory, emotional, developmental and physical needs.