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    • What Is Autism?

    ​Autism is a multifactorial neurological and developmental disorder that presents considerable challenges in social interaction, communication, medical health, and behavior. As a spectrum disorder, its symptoms and severity vary widely among individuals.​

    Since 2000, autism prevalence has increased 384%.

    2000
    1 in 150
    2004
    1 in 125
    2008
    1 in 88
    2010
    1 in 68
    2016
    1 in 54
    2018
    1 in 44
    Today
    1 in 31

    1 in 31 children have autism in the US.

    Common Signs & Symptoms

    • Persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction: This includes challenges in understanding and using verbal and nonverbal cues, developing and maintaining relationships, making eye contact, and engaging in typical social exchanges.
    • Restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities: Examples include repetitive movements and/or speech patterns, strict adherence to routines, and intense focus on specific interests.
    • Unusual sensory reactions, either stronger or weaker than would be expected: Examples include extreme sensitivity to sound and/or light, apparent deafness, restricted range of acceptable foods, and rejection of everyday fabrics like denim.

    Autism Subtypes

    • Non-speaking: 25-30% of autistic individuals in the U.S. are non-speakers or are minimally verbal. An unknown additional percentage report that they are “unreliable speakers.”
    • Intellectual disability: An estimated 40-55% of autistic individuals are believed to have an intellectual disability, based upon methods of testing that emphasize verbal ability. Those assumptions are being reassessed due to innovative methods of communication.
    • Regressive autism: Some studies show autism of a regressive phenotype in as many as 80% of all cases studied.
    • Gastrointestinal symptoms: The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms in autistic children is four times higher than in their neurotypical peers.1
    • Epilepsy: 25-40% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also experience epilepsy, and epilepsy is more common in individuals with ASD due to genetic or metabolic disorders.

    Prevalence

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2022, approximately 1 in 31 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism2. This is a stunning increase for a condition that was never described in medical literature before Dr. Leo Kanner’s 1943 landmark study, “Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact.” By 1999, the estimated number of children diagnosed with autism in the U.S. was 1 in 500.

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    Diagnosis

    Autism is clinically diagnosed based on developmental history and observed behaviors. There are no laboratory tests to determine its presence. If you suspect your child may have autism, it's crucial to seek a professional evaluation promptly to access necessary services and support. 

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    Support & Resources

    A trusted collection of materials aimed at supporting families affected by autism. Learn about early signs of autism, safety concerns like wandering, support and mentoring options, educational webinars for parents, legal resources, and information on autism studies and research, including genetics and testing.

    Learn More

    1 McElhanon, B. O., McCracken, C., Karpen, S., & Sharp, W. G. (2014). “Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis.” Pediatrics, 133(5), 872–883. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2013-3995.

    2 Shaw KA, Williams S, Patrick ME, et al. Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022. MMWR Surveill Summ 2025;74(No. SS-2):1–22. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7402a1.