• Defining Autism
• Pervasive Developmental Disorder
• Learn the Signs
• Related Disorders
• Facts and Statistics

Facts and Statistics

• 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder.¹
• Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 91² to 1 in 100 births.³
• 1 to 1.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder.⁴
• Fastest-growing developmental disability; 1,148% growth rate⁵
• 10 - 17 % annual growth⁶
• $60 billion annual cost⁷
• 60% of costs are in adult services⁸
• Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention⁹
• In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion.¹⁰
• 1 percent of the adult population of the United Kingdom have an autism spectrum disorder.¹¹

2003, 2006 Copyright the Autism Society. All rights reserved.

1. Pediatrics, October 5, 2009, based on a National Children’s Health Survey done with 78,000 parents in 2007.
2. Pediatrics, October 5, 2009, based on a National Children’s Health Survey done with 78,000 parents in 2007.
3. Estimated prevalence statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, due out late 2009.
4. Based on the autism prevalence rate of 1 in 150 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007) and 2000 U.S. Census figure of 280 million Americans.
5. “Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Changes in the California Caseload, An Update June 1987-June 2007.” Cavagnaro, Andre T., California Health and Human Services Agency. State of California 2003 survey of developmental disabilities.
6. Autism Society estimate based on 2003 US state educational data.
7. Autism Society estimates based on UK study by Jarbrink K, Knapp M, 2001, London School of Economics: "The economic impact on autism in Britain," 5 (1): 7-22.
8. Autism Society estimate.
9. Autism Society estimate, using Government Accounting Office Report on Autism 2007.
10. Autism Society estimate.
11. Autism Spectrum Disorders in adults living in households throughout England," Report from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey 2007, a survey carried out for the United Kingdom NHS Information Centre for health and social care.