Autism by Numbers

Last Monday, April 1^st, marked the beginning of this year’s Autism Awareness Month. One of the many things I have learned from Alex is the value of numbers and statistics, as well as qualifying figures as “approximately” or “exactly.” In honor of my adult son with autism, I will share some important data that demonstrate the need for autism awareness every month, not just every April.

The sources of my information are articles from the websites for the National Autism Association and The Autism Community in Action. [To read “Autism Fact Sheet,” please click here. To read “Autism & Safety Facts,” please click here. To read “Autism Statistics and Cost,” please click here.]

1.  According to current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 59 children in the United States has autism.

2.  The rate of autism is 4.5 times higher in boys than in girls: an estimated rate of 1 in 42 boys vs. 1 in 189 girls in the U.S.

3.  Approximately 40% of children who have autism do not speak.

4.  Estimates reveal more than 3 million people in the United States have autism.

5.  Since 1970, autism rates in the U.S. have increased significantly from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 1,000 in 1995 to 1 in 250 in 2000 to the 2018 report of 1 in 59.

6.  Even though autism is the most rapidly increasing developmental disorder, only about 5% of government research funding is spent on autism.

7.  Autism is often––in as many as 85% of people with autism––accompanied by other conditions, such as anxiety, OCD, epilepsy, allergies, asthma, autoimmune disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders, as well as difficulties with eating, sleeping, and sensory issues.

8.  In 2008, researchers in Denmark discovered that people with autism have double the mortality risk than typical people, primarily due to drowning and accidents.

9.  Approximately half (48%) of children with autism try to wander away from safe environments.

10.  In children with autism aged 14 and younger, 91% of total deaths in the U.S. resulted from accidental drowning after wandering away from a safe place in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

11.  Of adults who have autism, 87% live with their parents.

12.  The United States currently spends about $268 billion for autism costs annually. This amount is projected to increase to $1 trillion per year by the year 2025.

Behind these facts and figures are real people and their families whose lives are impacted every day by autism. While awareness is important, action is needed to help children and adults who are struggling with autism. Because so many cannot speak for themselves, we must speak for them.  Those who wander need to be protected from danger, and underlying medical and psychiatric conditions need to be treated instead of simply being dismissed. Moreover, more research needs to be done to find the causes and cures for this lifelong disorder that is growing at epidemic levels at great personal and financial cost. Our society can and must do more to help these vulnerable and precious souls afflicted with autism and their families who love and care for them.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12