A national survey entitled The Economic Costs for Families Raising a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder in Ireland is being undertaken and led by Áine Roddy, an Irish Research Council Health Economics PhD Scholar at NUI, Galway. Her PhD supervisor is Professor Ciaran O’Neill. It will be the first international study to provide an in-depth analysis and evidence-based research on the direct and indirect costs incurred by families due to caring for a child with an ASD.
It is extremely important that parents from every county in Ireland consider taking one hour or less to complete the survey so that their voice can be heard. The findings from the survey will provide evidence-based research on issues that affect families such as the financial costs, accessing services, impact on employment and the time involved in caring for their child’s special needs and safety. To date, the survey has been distributed by Irish Autism Action, Shine Ireland, and Dóchas autism organisations. Áine Roddy is extremely grateful to all the parents who have completed and returned a survey so far. However, more participants are still needed. There is no limit to the number of participants who can complete the survey as a higher response rate will allow more detailed analysis. Parents have until Friday October 16 to complete and return the survey. Everyone who returns a completed survey has a chance to win one of five iPads donated by the national autism organisation Irish Autism Action.
The survey, which takes an hour or less to complete, is available online as a PDF at http://bit.ly/1JV9bbI and can be returned by email or freepost to Aine. Alternatively, participants can request that a copy of the survey is posted to them. Aine can be contacted by email at [email protected] or text or call (087 ) 7694521. The freepost address is Aine Roddy, JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics, Room 238, First Floor, St Anthony’s Building, National University of Ireland, Galway, FREEPOST FGA 442, Co Galway.
