Latest Autism Statistics

The purposes of this document/web link is to provide the latest in Autism statistics. Statistic information and collection protocols are provided where ever possible. Please see original source as outlined for more details.

  • AUTISM OCCURRENCE: One in every 150 children born in the US has autism (read CDC report). It is estimated approximately 1 million in the US have this disorder.

  • U.S. FACTS:
    • A new case of autism is diagnosed nearly every 20 minutes
    • There are 24,000 new cases diagnosed in the U.S. per year
    • The economic impact of autism is more than $90 billion and expected to more than double in the next decade.
    • Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.
    • There is no medical detection treatment, or cure for autism.

  • AUTISM COMPARED TO OTHER DISABILITIES: Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S. today.

  • AUTISM & CALIFORNIA STATISTICS:
    • MORE THAN TWO new cases each day – 7 days a week in California alone!
    • From 1987-1998 there was a 633% increase in Autism (DSM-IV) in the State of California. (Note: In 1998 mandatory immunizations programs and the MMR vaccine were introduced.)
    • From 1998-2002 there was an additional 96% increase in Autism (DSM IV) in the State of California.
    • There are 35,626 cases of autism in California as of September 2007.
    • Autism cases represent over 18% of the Regional Center caseload. Annual budget for ASD care is over $171,000,000. Autism cases account for nearly 60% of intake.
    • In state-operated institutions of care there are 3,273 people with autism.
    • NOTE: These numbers below do NOT include: PDD, Asperger's and other spectrum disorders.
    • California Autism diagnosis by quarter:
      QUARTER
      Total # children 3-5 years old
      Net gain
      Change in
      net gain
      1Q 2003
      4,228
      189
      +81
      2Q 2003
      4,466
      238
      +49
      3Q 2003
      4,558
      92
      -146
      4Q 2003
      4,611
      53
      -39
             
      1Q 2004
      4,793
      182
      +129
      2Q 2004
      4,894
      101
      -81
      3Q 2004
      4,997
      103
      +2
      4Q 2004
      5,156
      159
      +56
      1Q 2005
      5,307
      151
      -8
      2Q 2005
      5,446
      139
      -12
      3Q 2005
      5,539
      93
      -46
      4Q 2005
      5,680
      141
      48
      1Q 2006
      5,827
      147
      6
      2Q 2006
      6,083
      256
      109
      3Q 2006
      6,188
      105
      -151
      4Q 2006
      6,348
      160
      55
      1Q 2007
      6,533
      185
      25
      2Q 2007
      6,702
      169
      -16
      3Q 2007
      6,926
      224
      55
      4Q 2007
      7,245
      319
      95

  • FUNDING RESEARCH: In the late 1990s The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded just $5 million in Autism Research. Today, the National Institutes of Health funds allocation:
    • $29 billion Total NIH funding
    • $5 billion Funding of relevant NIH departments: Child Health, Mental Health, Environmental Health, Neurological Disorders
    • LESS THAN $100 million* Portion of the $5 billion allocation that directly or indirectly impacts autism research. *This represents 0.3% of total NIH funding.
    • MUCH MORE FUNDING is needed.

  • HOW DOES FUNDING FOR AUTISM COMPARE TO OTHER CHILDHOOD DISORDERS & DISEASES?
    • Leukemia 1 in 25,000 Funding: $300 million
    • Muscular Dystrophy 1 in 20,000 Funding: $160 million
    • Cystic Fibrosis 1 in 5,000 Funding: $75 million
    • Juvenile Diabetes 1 in 500 Funding: $140 million
    • Autism 1 in 150 Funding: $15 million

      (Dollar amounts reflect approximate annual funds raised by major private advocacy groups.)

      Note: it is important to note that there is no suggestion to place an importance on one disease over another. This funding information above is only to demonstrate the disparity of funding towards autism.
  • AGE AMONG CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: In the State of California nearly seven out of TEN children with autism are less than 14 years old.

    • California Individuals with Autism by Age and Birth Years
    (see data below)
    California autism statistics by age and birth year

    Birth Years Age
    # of Individuals
    % Rounded
    2006-2007 0-2 years 44 0%
    2002-2004 3-5 years 7,245 20%
    1998-2001 6-9 years 9,740 26%
    1994-1997 10-13 years 7,010 19%
    1990-1993 14-17 years 4,783 13%
    1986-1989 18-21 years 2,554 7%
    1976-1985 22-31 years 2,624 7%
    1966-1975 32-41 years 1,364 4%
    1956-1965 42-51 years 1,112 3%
    1946-1955 52-61 years 387 1%
    1945 and earlier 62+ years 79 0%
    CA Total Individuals with Autism
    		 35,716
    Source: State of California, Department of Developmental Services Quarterly Client Characteristics Reports
  • BETTER DIAGNOSIS? Some of suggested that autism is just being better diagnosed today versus ten years ago and that many cases of mental retardation are now being coded as autism. This would also assume that the experts diagnosing autism before did not know what they were doing.

    This is NOT TRUE. Autism is the only rising dramatically disorder while mental retardation, Down syndrome, and cystic fibrosis remain relatively the same. Autism is now more prevalent among California children than cerebral palsy.

  • GIRLS VS. BOYS: Autism often strikes boys more often than girls – roughly four times more common in boys. With statistics being 1 in every 150 children that makes it 1 in every 94 males.

SOURCE INFORMATION:

Information from Author David Kirby
Author of Evidence of Harm

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