Autism Statistics

Autism Recipes Editor May 15, 2024

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Autism Statistics you need to know by 2024

It can be very isolating when your child has autism. Knowing the latest statistics on autism can help you feel less alone. You will quickly realize that you are a part of a larger autism community.

The latest research in 2023 from the top 1 in 36. The data will likely remain the same until 2024 since the report was released recently.

Table of Contents

In the 1970s, 4-5 out of 10,000 kids were affected. By 2025, half of all children will be affected.

Will half of US children have autism by 2025? Some may laugh at this prediction by Dr. Stephanie Seneff of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but the most recent CDC statistics indicate that prevalence rates are on the rise.

According to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 1 in 36 children (or 2.8%) in the US was diagnosed with ASD.
These statistics were based on 8-year-olds who lived in 11 ADDM Network locations in the United States
The estimate for 2023 based on data collected in 2020 is approximately 317 higher than estimates from 2000
was 1 in 44 children with ASD. Two years later, this estimate was 1 out of 36

Hope, growth and possibilities

These statistics are not meant to be used for diagnosis, treatment, or making decisions about the care of a child. However, they can give a glimpse into what is happening in autistic children’s lives. While some data may be alarming, there are reasons for optimism and hope:

In a study, it was found that most children with severe language delay did acquire language skills
According to, recent research, many children on the autism spectrum are doing better than expected by middle childhood. By the age of 10, 78.8% of autistic school-age children were doing well in one or more of the five areas of development. Nearly one-quarter of autistic children are doing well across the board.

The authors conclude the study by stating what many parents already know: that a child can still do well even if they continue to meet ASD criteria.

Autism is a severe condition

CDC released the most recent data on profound autism. This was the first time reported about the prevalence of profound Autism. It was found that 6,7% of those with autism spectrum disorders have profound autism.

The study showed that 76% more black children have profound autism than autistic 8-year-olds.

CDC data suggests a male-to-female ratio of 4:3 for autism. However, other research suggests a closer ratio to 3:2. A recent systematic review confirmed the CDC’s data.
Autism Parenting Magazine exclusive data shows that close to 6% of autistic kids have some form of gender dysphoria
Autism is present in all socioeconomic groups. The ADDM data for this year’s ADDM did not show a consistent association between socioeconomic status and autism prevalence.
According to the latest data on ASD, overall, ASD prevalence was lower in non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black and African American (Black) children, as well as children of two or multiple races (22,9), than it was among non-Hispanic Black or African American children (Black), Hispanic and non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander children (A/PI), respectively (29,3, 31,6, and 33,4).
A study conducted in recent years confirmed that Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks have higher ASD rates than non-Hispanic Whites.

Treatment, intervention and support

We have exclusive access to data from our readers’ database at Autism Parenting Magazine.

Although the FDA has approved only risperidone and aripiprazole for the treatment of irritability, many caregivers are turning to complementary and other medications.
Parents who give CBD products to their autistic children do so mostly for anxiety (42,9%) and challenging behaviour (36,9%).
The COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for 31.3% of respondents who gave CBD to the people in their care.
ABA Therapy is controversial. Some parents believe it’s the best intervention for their child, while others, particularly adults with autism, call it abusive.
Other evidence-based treatments include speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. Pharmacological interventions and other pharmacological therapies are also available for autism symptoms.
Autistic children need the support of their families, teachers, medical professionals and therapists. But parents also need extensive support.
In a study of the support needs of parents of autistic children, mothers and fathers placed different emphasis on support.

MOTHERS: Put importance on the qualities and support of professionals, and parent groups. The unmet needs of mothers include access to treatments and therapies, education about autism, help with housework and participation in family support groups.

FATHERs: Parailleurs, fathers place more importance on helping the autistic child’s or teen’s social development. Fathers’ unmet support needs included time for relaxation and care of themselves.

Autism and its associated conditions

According to research, around 40 % of autistic children have at least one anxiety disorder.
About half of children with ASD also show signs of ADHD
Sleep, gastrointestinal and weight management issues are more common in children with autism than in their neurotypical peers:
Children with ASD are at a higher risk for epilepsy
It is estimated that 90% of autistic people may experience atypical sensory experiences
The risk of death from serious injury is significantly increased for individuals on the spectrum
According to studies, 38% of those with ASD experience seizures. 53% also have sleeping issues. 40% suffer from anxiety.

x160 – According to this study, children with autism are 160 times as likely to drown than the general pediatric population

Autistic children have twice the likelihood of reporting suicidal feelings as children without the condition. Research suggests that deficits in social interaction may lead to a lack of emotional connection, which increases the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Bullying is more common among children on the autism spectrum than in neurotypical peers.

Costs – economic and psychological

Stress in caregiving

Overall, anxiety and depression symptoms are more prevalent in mothers with autistic children. In a study, 72.5% of mothers with autistic children reported depressive symptoms and 80.2% experienced anxiety. 67.1% had both symptoms.
Parents of autistic children are more stressed than parents of neurotypical children or parents who have children with developmental disorders. Stress levels can be affected by a number of factors, including:
Parents’ characteristics
Child Characteristics
Support system for family and social welfare
Professional Support
Socioeconomic Status

Of the sample of parents with autistic children, 18.6% met the criteria to receive a provisional diagnosis of PTSD

The economic burden of ASD in America

A systematic review of the economic burden of ASD children estimates that the cost is
The main drivers of costs are special education needs (37.2%) and the loss in productivity of parents (28.4%).
It is alarming to learn that 25-45% of parents surveyed have reduced their working hours or stopped working entirely.

Causes and risk factors

Twin studies have shown that autism has a genetic component.
If an older sibling has autism, a child’s risk of developing the condition is approximately 19% greater.
There is a growing body of evidence that links drug abuse and age to autism (there are also studies linking increased risk of autism with advanced father age).
Health complications in pregnancy and childbirth can increase a child’s risk of autism significantly. A baby who experiences complications before and during birth could have a 44 per cent increased risk.
Most studies are flawed in their methodology.

Future Predictions

Autism awareness, education and research are on the rise. The increasing number of peer-reviewed articles published about ASD is a good example. In 2003, there were 800 articles published in a 12-month period. In 2013, 3,400 articles were published in a 12-month period.
Parents worry about the future of their autistic children and their ability as they age to care for them.
A report indicates that while parents understand the importance of planning for their children’s future, they have difficulty initiating this type of planning.
The study suggests that social workers should be trained to assist parents in planning and to break down the process into manageable chunks; as well as to support parents at each stage.

The Therapist Teaching the Kid to Exercises its Fingers

Difference in Prevalence: California and Maryland

Autism rates can vary widely between countries and even states within the US. Cultural and methodological differences are likely to be behind these variations.
CDC Data indicates that California has the largest percentage of children aged 8 years who are diagnosed with ASD. The difference between states ranges from 2.3%, or 1 child in 43 in Maryland, to 4.5%, or 1 child in 22 in California.
California has a 3.9% rate, Missouri is at 1.7%, South Korea is at 2.84% and France is at 0.36%. Qatar also has 1.14%.
A lack of resources has prevented many developing countries from having reliable statistics on autism. The majority of autism research comes from wealthy, English-speaking nations.
According to the CDC Report, an estimated 2.2% of adults in the US have autism.
California, in line with the estimates of ASD among children, has the largest (estimated number) of adults with ASD of all the US states.
Men are more likely to be affected than women
These statistics show that autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that lasts a lifetime

Are parents in areas with higher autism prevalence better informed and more aware? Are these areas with higher rates of prevalence more accepting and accepting of neurodiversity, allowing for easier diagnosis and intervention? Autism prevalence is influenced by several factors. We need to do more research, but the following seem to have an impact: