Autism Statistics 2025: Key Facts & Insights You Should Know

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how the brain develops and influences how someone perceives and interacts with the world around them. It can make it challenging for a person to connect with others, often leading to difficulties with social interaction and communication. People with autism may also engage in repetitive behaviors or have a limited range of activities and interests.

The term “spectrum” highlights the fact that the signs and severity of autism can vary greatly from one individual to another. While autism can be diagnosed at any stage of life, the early signs typically emerge within the first two years.

Autism touches the lives of millions of children and their families globally. It doesn’t discriminate—it affects people of all genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds. Although there’s no known cure for ASD, early and intensive intervention can profoundly improve the quality of life for many children.

Understanding autism is the first step towards building a more inclusive and supportive environment. In this overview, we’ll explore the prevalence of autism, how it affects different groups, and the factors that might contribute to it. Let’s dive in.

Global Autism

Autism is a condition that affects people around the world, though the prevalence varies across different regions. Over time, the global prevalence of autism has been steadily increasing, reflecting a growing awareness and better diagnostic capabilities.

World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around 1 in 100 children worldwide have autism, though this number can vary depending on various studies. In many low- and middle-income countries, the exact number of children with autism is still unclear. (1)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Prevalence Rates

Autism is becoming more commonly recognized—the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder varies by both sex and age group.

In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 1 in 36 (or 2.8%) of 8-year-old children were identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on data from 11 different communities across the United States in 2020. (2)
According to a companion report, the prevalence of autism among 4-year-olds has also risen. In 2020, the overall autism prevalence among 4-year-olds was 21.5 per 1,000 children, meaning about 1 in 47 children were diagnosed with autism, based on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) data from 227,526 children across 11 states. (3)
Between 2019 and 2021, boys were more likely to be diagnosed with autism (4.66%) compared to girls (1.50%). Certain genetic variations are associated with an increased likelihood of a child being on the autism spectrum. Interestingly, boys need fewer of these genetic variants to be predisposed to developing autism compared to girls. (4)

is autism more common in males or females

Additionally, children aged 3–7 years (2.62%) had a lower likelihood of being diagnosed with autism than children aged 8–12 years (3.36%) and 13–17 years (3.35%). (4)

U.S. Autism Rates by Ethnicity

Autism itself shouldn’t inherently differ across race or ethnicity, as these are social constructs rather than biological factors, but here are the prevalence of autism among different racial groups.

The overall prevalence of autism spectrum disorder per 1,000 children aged 8 varied by racial and ethnic groups in 2020. White children had a lower prevalence (24.3) compared to Black (29.3), Hispanic (31.6), and Asian or Pacific Islander children (33.4). (5)
The prevalence of autism among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native children (26.5) was similar to that of other racial and ethnic groups. (5)
In 2020, for the first time, the percentage of Black, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander 8-year-old children diagnosed with autism was higher than that of White children. (2)
In 2020, autism prevalence among 4-year-old children varied by race and ethnicity. Hispanic children had the highest prevalence at 28.7 per 1,000, followed by Black children (25.3), Asian or Pacific Islander children (23.5), multiracial children (19.3), White children (16.3), and American Indian or Alaska Native children (11.1). (6)

Child Developmental Disabilities Prevalence

Developmental disabilities are common among children in the United States, and their prevalence has been on the rise in recent years.

Between 2019 and 2021, the prevalence of diagnosed developmental disabilities in children aged 3–17 increased from 7.40% to 8.56%. (4)
There was no significant change in the prevalence of diagnosed intellectual disability from 2019 to 2021 (1.70% in 2019, 2.20% in 2020, and 1.65% in 2021). (4)
The prevalence of diagnosed autism spectrum disorder showed no significant change between 2019 and 2021 (2.79% in 2019, 3.49% in 2020, and 3.05% in 2021). (4)
The prevalence of commonly diagnosed other developmental delays rose from 5.08% in 2019 to 6.06% in 2021. (4)

The prevalence of developmental disabilities differed based on sex, race, and Hispanic origin, but it did not vary by age group. The prevalence of developmental disabilities was consistent across age groups: 8.42% for ages 3–7, 8.05% for ages 8–12, and 7.84% for ages 13–17. (4)

Non-Hispanic Asian children (4.85%) were less likely to have developmental disabilities compared to Hispanic (7.40%), non-Hispanic Black (9.07%), and non-Hispanic White (8.42%) children. (4)

IDEA Disability Support Statistics 2023

The U.S. Department of Education has released updated data on students with disabilities who are eligible for support under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Autism now represents nearly 13% of school-aged students with disabilities, an increase from 10% just five years ago. (8)
In 2023, 2,408 children were served for specific learning disabilities under IDEA in the U.S. (8)
Approximately 1,430 children received services for speech or language impairments under IDEA in 2023. (8)
IDEA supported 1,150 children with other health impairments in the United States during 2023. (8)
Autism services were provided to 980 children under IDEA during the 2022 academic year. (8)

Autism and Co-occurring Conditions in Children

Many individuals with autism may also experience additional medical, developmental, or psychiatric conditions, which are known as co-occurring conditions. These can affect their overall health and development and often require specialized care and attention alongside autism support.

The researchers discovered that almost 78% of children with ASD had at least one mental health condition, and nearly half had two or more. In comparison, only 14.1% of children without autism had any mental health conditions. (9)
The most common mental health conditions in children with ASD included behavior or conduct problems (60.8%), anxiety (39.5%), ADHD or ADD (48.4%), and depression (15.7%). (9)
The researchers found that mental health conditions were already present in nearly 45% of preschool children with ASD and became more common as they got older. (9)

Causes of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder doesn’t have a single known cause. Due to the complexity of the condition and the wide range of symptoms and severity, it’s likely that multiple factors contribute to its development.

Scientific evidence suggests that multiple factors, including both environmental and genetic influences, likely contribute to a child’s increased risk of developing autism. (1)

Treatment of Autism

There are numerous treatments available that can help autistic children learn new skills and address a variety of developmental challenges. These treatments are often tailored to meet each child’s unique needs and can significantly improve their quality of life.

Some autism therapies aim to reduce challenging behaviors and enhance communication and social skills, while others address sensory integration issues, motor skills, emotional challenges, and food sensitivities. (10)

U.S. Autism Early Testing Rates

Early autism diagnosis is essential for providing timely interventions, which can lead to better long-term outcomes. However, the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can differ greatly from one child to another, making early identification more challenging.

Among children with ASD who had a developmental evaluation, 78% were evaluated by 36 months, with site variability ranging from 66.7% in Tennessee to 87.8% in Arkansas. (6)

Autism Funding Costs

It’s clear that funding for research is essential to uncover the causes of autism and to develop effective treatments. Equally important is ensuring that all children have access to intensive early intervention and school-based programs, which support academic progress as well as social and language development.

In fiscal year 2023, autism research funding reached 306 million USD, up from 232 million USD in 2016. The research funding mentioned will help generate the necessary evidence to identify interventions, services, supports, and community programs that are effective for individuals with autism and a range of other needs or co-occurring conditions throughout their lives. (11)

U.S. Autism Disability Rates by State

National and state-based estimates of adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are vital for planning programs and services. These estimates can help ensure that appropriate resources and support systems are in place to meet the needs of individuals with ASD as they age.

In 2020, approximately 58% of four-year-old children with autism in Maryland also had a co-occurring intellectual disability. (6)

Final Thought

The rise in autism diagnosis and autism prevalence highlights the growing need for awareness, research, and appropriate services to support autistic individuals across the lifespan. As data collected continues to shed light on the experiences of autistic people, it becomes clear that early childhood interventions, such as occupational therapy, can play a critical role in shaping the future of autistic kids and young adults.

However, for many developing countries, prevalence rates remain unclear, and the economic burden of providing adequate care and resources can be overwhelming. Despite these significant challenges, efforts from organizations like Autism Speaks are helping to build a world where autistic children and students receive the support they need to thrive, regardless of socioeconomic groups or environmental factors.

For Autism Parenting Magazine readers and caregivers of an autistic child, understanding the complexities of profound autism and the average age of diagnosis is just the beginning. With the right interventions, many autistic kids can overcome social communication difficulties and develop the skills they need to lead fulfilling lives. As more autistic students reach adulthood, the focus must shift toward ensuring that young adults with ASD are equipped with the tools and support they need for independence.

From children born today to adults already navigating the world, understanding the varied experiences of people with ASD, including those of two or more races, is essential to creating a more inclusive society for the general population.