Facts About ASD

• 1 in 88 children is diagnosed with autism
• The number goes upto 1 in 49 children in New Jersey. This means there is 1 child with autism in every school bus (According to data given by Centers for Disease Control)
• 1 percent of the young (3-17 years) population in the US has an autism spectrum disorder
• There has been a 78% increase in the prevalence of autism over the past 5 years
• Nationally, the average cost of autism is $60 billion
• 60% of costs are in adult services
• The average cost of autism over the lifespan of a person is $3.2 million
• Chances of suffering from autism have nothing to do with an individual’s racial/ethnic background, social boundaries, family income, lifestyle and educational levels
• Boys are 4 times more likely to suffer from autism than girls
• Autism is not a mental illness. Children with autism and related pervasive developmental disabilities are born with the disorder or the potential to develop it
• Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others
• Autism is considered a ‘spectrum disorder’, implying that its symptoms can vary greatly from one individual to another
• No single cause for autism has been identified yet
• Symptoms of autism can be improved with targeted and timely intervention. However, it has no cure