Cidav Z, Munson J, Estes A, et al. JAACAP. 56(9); 777-783.

Lifetime costs associated with looking after an individual with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) range from US$1.4-2.4 million a year.  This economic analysis of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) showed that although health costs were higher for children while they received the treatment compared with those receiving community-based care ($14,000 per year over 1-2 years), children who received ESDM saved funders $19,000 per year in the longer term by using less ABA/EIBI, occupational/physical therapy and speech services. The authors concluded that costs associated with ESDM treatment were filly offset within a few years.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890856717303131