OBJECTIVES: Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in very young children can improve future outcomes. This study aims to estimate the economic impact of implementing a hypothetical universal screening program for ASD in 14 European countries. It forms part of the European Project ASDEU (asdeu.eu).

METHODS: A screening procedure of children between 18 and 24 months was designed, based on an existing Spanish program. A cost study and a budget impact analysis was performed for 14 EU countries. Resources were identified, measured and valuated with respective unit costs in each country. Time of professionals was evaluated by the monthly gross wage in the public sector. Statistics from Eurostat were used to estimate number of children susceptible for the screening and number of general paediatricians involved in the program. Prices were expressed in local currencies and converted in EUR 2017.

RESULTS: It was assumed that all general paediatricians participate in the program and all 18-24 months-old children who attend an immunization program would be screened with M-CHAT questionnaire. Cost per screened child ranged from 1€ in Bulgaria to 13€ in Iceland, depending mostly on salary level in each country. The mean cost per screened child across the 14 ASDEU countries was 6.4€. Total annual cost of universal screening was estimated for each country, depending on the country size of population: from 43,000 €/year in Iceland to 5 million €/year in France and 6.7 million €/year in the UK.

CONCLUSIONS: Universal screening program for ASD in very young children is feasible and should be considered by policy makers in Europe at national level.