Cost of Raising a Child with Special Needs Varies from State to State

Which state is best at providing for the needs of families with special needs children? A professor at Washington University in Saint Louis has finally compiled the information that many families have been waiting for:

[The study] found that families with similar demographics and nature of their children's special needs have different out-of-pocket health expenditures depending on the state in which they live. "This is one of the few studies that focuses on families' costs when caring for children with special needs, rather than the overall cost for society as a whole," says [Professor Shattuck]. "At the low end, families in Massachussets paid an average of $560 for out-of-pocket medical expenses," he says. "At the high end, families in Georgia shouldered an average of $970 in additional care expenses."

Of course, this list doesn't take into account issues like personal insurance coverage or educational concerns, and it doesn't focus specifically on autism. Still, many parents may find it enlightening.

Wondering where your state ranks? The entire list is available at the Washington University website.