The Financial Reality of Autism in India
Raising an autistic child in India involves significant costs that are rarely planned for:
Therapy costs (typical): Speech therapy + OT + behavior therapy — ₹15,000–50,000/month at private rates. Over 10 years, this is ₹18–60 lakhs.
Special school or additional support: ₹5,000–30,000/month above government school.
Equipment: AAC devices, weighted blankets, sensory equipment — ₹15,000–1,00,000 total.
Medication (if used): ₹3,000–10,000/month.
Respite care: Rare in India, but when needed, significant.
Adult care: Long-term residential or supported living is needed by some autistic adults. Costs vary dramatically.
Financial Planning Strategies
Government services first: Always maximize free/subsidized government services (DEIC, AYJNISHD, NIMHANS) before private. The gap can be addressed with private therapy.
Insurance for therapy: Increasingly, health insurance policies can be structured to include OPD therapy. Plan this when purchasing insurance.
Tax deductions: Section 80DD (maintenance of disabled dependent) and Section 80U — claim these every year. Consult a CA familiar with disability provisions.
Special Needs Trust (planned): India does not currently have a formal special needs trust framework, but family trusts can be used to protect assets for a disabled family member. Consult a lawyer with special needs financial planning experience.
Life insurance: Both parents should have adequate term life insurance. Consider the cost of care if one parent dies.
NHFDC loans: Subsidized loans for disability-related needs.