If you continue to cook with plastic in your kitchen, your children may develop autism.

Current research suggests potential associations between microplastic and plastic chemical exposure, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), and developmental issues, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.

Infants and young children, particularly susceptible due to behaviors like crawling, teething, and mouthing objects, have been found to have microplastics in breast milk, placentas, and even their bloodstream. Studies indicate that ingestion of microplastics might disrupt maternal-fetal communication, leading to DNA damage, endocrine disruption, and developmental disorders like autism and ADHD. Additionally, animal studies, particularly in mice, demonstrate that exposure to polyethylene microplastics during prenatal and early life stages can trigger ASD-like behavioral traits, highlighting the neurological effects linked to such exposure. If your child does develop ASD, understanding the general costs associated with managing autism may provide a helpful framework.

Typical Costs Associated With Autism-Related Services:

1. Initial Evaluation and Diagnosis:
   • A comprehensive evaluation by developmental pediatricians, child psychologists, or neurologists can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the clinic, insurance coverage, and geographic region.
   • In the U.S., an autism diagnostic evaluation might cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 if done privately, though insurance may reduce this significantly.
2. Therapies and Interventions:
   • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): ABA therapy can cost around $60 to $120 per hour, with recommended intensive early intervention sometimes reaching 20–40 hours per week. Over a year, this could range from $60,000 to over $100,000 without insurance. With insurance, out-of-pocket expenses vary depending on coverage, co-pays, and deductibles.
   • Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy: Each session might run $100–$250 out-of-pocket if not covered by insurance. Weekly sessions over the course of a year can accumulate to several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
   • Social Skills Groups and Other Interventions: Costs can range widely (from $50 to $200 per session) depending on the provider and format (group vs. individual).
3. Medical and Psychiatric Consultations:
   • Children with ASD sometimes require evaluations by neurologists, psychiatrists, or developmental pediatricians for co-occurring conditions (anxiety, ADHD, GI issues, sleep problems). Each specialist visit might cost $200–$500 out of pocket, or a smaller co-pay with insurance.
   • Medication expenses vary depending on the type, dosage, and insurance coverage. These can add from a few hundred to several thousand dollars annually.
4. Educational and Support Services:
   • Special Education Services: Public schools in many countries offer support at no direct cost to families. However, private special education schools can charge from $20,000 to over $70,000 per year. Additional educational supports (private tutoring, assistive devices, or in-home supports) can add thousands more annually.
   • Caregiver Training and Support: Programs, workshops, or parent coaching sessions may cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars a year.
5. Long-Term Costs:
   • Studies have estimated that the lifetime cost of supporting an individual with ASD—from early childhood interventions through adulthood—can range from $1.4 million to $2.4 million in the United States. This figure includes a broad array of services, lost wages of caregivers who reduce work hours, and long-term supportive care.

Insurance and Financial Considerations:

• In many places, insurance coverage for ASD-related services has improved over the last decade. The costs you pay depend heavily on:
  • Insurance Plans: Some policies fully or partially cover ABA therapy, certain medical appointments, and therapy sessions. Others provide minimal coverage.
  • State and Country Policies: Certain U.S. states have mandates requiring coverage of autism therapies. Some countries with national healthcare systems may subsidize or fully cover many services.
  • Nonprofit Assistance: Organizations and grants may offset some therapy or evaluation costs.
  • Public Resources: Early Intervention programs (for children under age 3 in the U.S.) and school-based services may reduce or eliminate certain costs.

Bottom Line:

If your child is diagnosed with ASD as a result of continuous exposure to plastics and micro-plastics, typical annual costs for medical and therapeutic interventions can easily range from several thousand to over $100,000, depending on severity, location, available services, and insurance coverage. Over a lifetime, that total figure can be in the hundreds of thousands or even over a million dollars when considering all factors—diagnosis, interventions, education, and long-term support.

When considering potential factors such as microplastics, the most productive approach is to focus on prevention and reduction of exposure to harmful chemicals, remain informed of ongoing research, and utilize existing autism-related support services and insurance options should your child need them.