According to a new article from the Harvard School of Public Health, the total cost of caring for an autistic person over his or her lifetime can be as high as $3.5 million.

The article states that direct medical costs, such as physician and outpatient services, prescription medication, and behavioral therapies are estimated at more than $29,000 per person per year. Direct non-medical costs, such as special education, camps, and child care can cost more than $38,000 for those with lower levels of disability and more than $43,000 for those with higher levels.

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