Financial challenges and economic impact on families of children with autism spectrum disorder in Kazakhstan.

BACKGROUND: Families of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face challenges associated with treatment, caregiving, and education, which lead to substantial expenses. In Kazakhstan, the economic impact of ASD on families remains insufficiently studied. Therefore, our aim was to examine the financial burden and identify factors associated with financial difficulties among these families. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Regional Children's Psychiatric Dispensary in the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan in 2023. The survey was administered to parents of children with ASD under 18 years of age both in person and online. Of the 285 questionnaires distributed, 239 were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the presence of financial difficulties among these families. Regression analysis identified several variables associated with monthly expenditures related to caring for a child with ASD. RESULTS: Among the participating families, 90.79% reported experiencing financial difficulties related to caring for a child with ASD. Non-medical expenditures accounted for the largest proportion of total monthly expenditures (38.08%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that older child age was associated with lower odds of financial difficulties (OR = 0.76, p < 0.001), whereas families living in urban areas had higher odds of reporting financial difficulties than those living in rural areas (OR = 6.30, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings provide insights into the economic challenges experienced by families of children with ASD in Kazakhstan and suggest the importance of continued development of government support.