Therapy for babies with signs of autism cuts long-term disability costs
New research evaluating the potential cost savings of a therapy for babies displaying early autism signs has predicted a three dollar return to Australia青瓜视频檚 National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for every dollar invested in therapy.
Published in the prestigious JAMA Network Open, the health economic study drew on the results of a landmark multi-centre randomised clinical trial which reported the world青瓜视频檚 first evidence that a therapy commenced in infancy (iBASIS-VIPP)* could reduce early developmental disability to the point where a childhood clinical autism diagnosis was two-thirds less likely.
Now, researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) and Telethon Kids Institute, in partnership with the University of Manchester, La Trobe University, Griffith University and the University of Western Australia, have used this clinical trial data to model downstream cost implications for children up to age 13.
Modelling downstream disability support costs to the NDIS system, they predicted that use of the iBASIS- VIPP therapy during infancy would return a net cost savings of $10,695 per child, representing a three-to- one return on investment by age 13.
Lead author, UniSA青瓜视频檚 Professor Leonie Segal, Chair, Health Economics and Social Policy, says the estimated cost savings are conservative as they only covered support costs to the NDIS until a child turned 13, and did not consider cost savings to other systems (for example, health, education, parental employment).
青瓜视频淏y investing in services early in life for babies showing early autism signs 青瓜视频 and thereby reducing levels of disability 青瓜视频 the study predicted a net cost savings of $10,695 per child by age 13 years,青瓜视频 Prof Segal, a health economist, says.
青瓜视频淭he modelling also predicted that savings in support costs associated with disability would balance out therapy costs shortly after the child turned five 青瓜视频 just four years after delivery of the therapy.
青瓜视频淭he findings clearly argue the case that investing in early support for babies represents a good investment for the whole community.青瓜视频
This is a landmark study in autism which shows, for the first time, the value of pre-emptive intervention in reducing services use and costs later in child development
Prof Jonathan Green Professor of Child Psychiatry from University of Manchester says 青瓜视频渢his is a landmark study in autism which shows, for the first time, the value of pre-emptive intervention in reducing services use and costs later in child development. The modelling was made possible by the structured NDIS health insurance system in Australia, but the implications of this go far wider 青瓜视频 completely applicable to other health systems such as the UK. This is because the kinds of services modelled in the Australian system are comparable to those used in the UK and other advanced health systems 青瓜视频 so we can confidently assume that this intervention applied in the UK will result in comparable savings.青瓜视频
青瓜视频淭he discovery of therapies that reduce the disability experienced by children will often mean that that child requires fewer supports in later childhood. This is fantastic news for the child, their family and the systems that support kids and families.
Telethon Kids Institute青瓜视频檚 Prof Andrew Whitehouse 青瓜视频 the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research at Telethon Kids and the University of Western Australia and Director of CliniKids 青瓜视频 says autism is not typically diagnosed until three years of age. However, therapies commencing during the first two years of life 青瓜视频 when the initial signs of development difference are observed, and the brain is rapidly developing 青瓜视频 can positively impact developmental outcomes in later childhood,青瓜视频 Prof Whitehouse says.
He says many services used the presence or absence of a diagnosis as a 青瓜视频榯rigger青瓜视频 for funding and therapy, but this study reinforces the potential value of therapies prior to a diagnosis.
青瓜视频淒isability associated with autism has cost and quality of life implications for families and may result in extra government spending on areas such as health, education, disability services, and income support,青瓜视频
青瓜视频淩educing disability associated with autism can relieve hardship to the individual, and in the process relieve costs to the individual, their family, and the broader systems that support them. At a time when NDIS sustainability is of great importance to everyone, these findings are very significant.青瓜视频
青瓜视频淚 want to make it crystal clear that this is about finding the best use of funds to create the best outcomes for children,青瓜视频 he says.
青瓜视频淭his study is about how to provide the right supports to kids and families at the right time and in the right amount. Understanding this is critical in helping to structure systems to support kids and families when they need it.青瓜视频
*iBASIS-VIPP is a video therapy that helps parents understand and adapt to their baby青瓜视频檚 communication style to optimise social and communication development in babies aged 9-14 months.
- Professor Jonathan Green from University of Manchester led the development and initial testing of iBASIS-VIPP along with UK colleagues, published in 2017. The replication trial of iBASIS-VIPP in Australia, on which this current paper is based, was led by Telethon Kids Institute青瓜视频檚 Professor Andrew Whitehouse. It identified babies with early signs of potential autism (reduced eye contact, imitation, or response to name) using the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance Revised (SACS-R) tool, finding that a clinical diagnosis of autism at age three was only a third as likely in children who received iBASIS-VIPP compared to those who received treatment as usual.