Autism: Information, Facts and Research News

Author: Disabled World (DW)
Updated/Revised Date: 2025/04/12
Category Topic: Autism Information (Publications Database)

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Subtopics

Synopsis: Autism is a brain development disorder often characterized by impaired social interaction communication, and restricted repetitive behavior, among other factors. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.

Introduction

Autism is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive behavior, starting before a child is three. This set of signs distinguishes autism from milder autism spectrum disorders (ASD) such as pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS).

Main Document

Autism falls under the category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders, which includes disorders like Rett Syndrome and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and then autism is then divided up into many subtypes including Asperger's Syndrome.

For reasons as yet unidentified, autism has become an epidemic in America over the last couple of decades. While considerable controversy surrounds the issue of why this condition is escalating so rapidly. Other proposed causes, such as childhood vaccines, are controversial, and the vaccine hypotheses lack convincing scientific evidence.

U.S. Autism Rates by Year Chart

Autism prevalence studies data table from the ADDM Network for years 2000 to 2020 with combined data from all sites. The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is a program funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect data to better understand the number and characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities living in different areas of the United States.

Table Showing Yearly Identified Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the U.S.

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This image is a bar graph titled Autism Prevalence Rates (2000-2020), showing how autism diagnosis rates have changed in the United States over two decades.
This image is a bar graph titled Autism Prevalence Rates (2000-2020), showing how autism diagnosis rates have changed in the United States over two decades. The x-axis represents surveillance years from 2000 to 2020, while the y-axis shows prevalence as a ratio (1 in X children). In 2000 and 2002, the prevalence was 1 in 150. This number gradually increased, indicating more frequent diagnoses over time. By 2006 it was 1 in 110, and by 2010 it reached 1 in 68. The trend continued upward to 1 in 44 by 2018 and 1 in 36 in 2020. Each bar is labeled with its corresponding prevalence rate, clearly illustrating the consistent rise in autism diagnoses over the years.
Continued...
Prevalence of Autism in the U.S. by Year
Survey Year Birth Year 1 in X Children
2020 2012 1 in 36
2018 2010 1 in 44
2016 2008 1 in 54
2014 2006 1 in 59
2012 2004 1 in 69
2010 2002 1 in 68
2008 2000 1 in 88
2006 1998 1 in 110
2004 1996 1 in 125
2002 1994 1 in 150
2000 1992 1 in 150

Autism and ADHD

Autism and ADHD could present with each other or with various other conditions - but they do not "typically" present together. Some autism symptoms could appear, like inattention. You should not easily confuse someone with ADHD with someone with autism, as their functioning and behavior are different. Autistic individuals display many forms of repetitive or restricted behavior, which the Repetitive Behavior Scale-Revised (RBS-R) categorizes as follows:

No single repetitive behavior appears to be specific to autism, but only autism appears to have an elevated pattern of occurrence and severity of these behaviors. Early behavioral or cognitive intervention can help children gain self-care and social and communication skills. There is currently no known cure for autism.

Children and Adults with ASD May:

Common Autistic Traits

Behaviorally, certain characteristics identify the autism spectrum. The number of autistic traits determines the severity of autism in the individual. These autistic traits may benefit disciplines like science, mathematics, and engineering.

Social Impairment

Language Impairment

Imaginative Impairment and Repetitive Adherence

Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Publications

- New research challenges the assumption that reduced eye contact defines autism, suggesting natural play behaviors offer better diagnostic and intervention insights.

- AI-enhanced micro-expression analysis in films offers a method for early, accurate Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, benefiting clinicians and individuals with ASD.

- Paper examines intersection of telepathy and autism, balancing scientific rigor with sensitivity to the diverse experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum.

Complete List of Publications

Subtopics

Citing Information and Page References

Founded in 2004, Disabled World (DW) is a leading resource on disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility, supporting the disability community. Learn more on our About Us page.

Cite This Page (APA): Disabled World (DW). (Rev. 2025, April 12). Autism: Information, Facts and Research News. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 20, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/autism/

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