Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month

Autism Prevalence

  • In 2021, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 44 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to 2018 data.

    • 1 in 27 boys identified with autism

    • 1 in 116 girls identified with autism

  • Boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls.

  • Most children were still being diagnosed after age 4, though autism can be reliably diagnosed as early as age 2.

  • 31% of children with ASD have an intellectual disability (intelligence quotient [IQ] <70), 25% are in the borderline range (IQ 71–85), and 44% have IQ scores in the average to above average range (i.e., IQ >85).

  • Autism affects all ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

  • Minority groups tend to be diagnosed later and less often.

  • Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the lifespan.

  • There is no medical detection for autism.

Source - autismspeaks.org

Resource of the Week - Please visit autismspeaks.org for more comprehensive information about autism.