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AUTISM FACT SHEET
- 1 percent of the population of children in the U.S. ages 3-17 have an autism spectrum disorder
- Prevalence is estimated at 1 in 110 births
- Four times more prevalent in boys than in girls
- There is no known cause for autism
- 1 to 1.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder
- Fastest-growing developmental disability; 1,148% growth rate
- 10 - 17 % annual growth
- $60 billion annual cost
- 60% of costs are in adult services
- Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention
- In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion
- One of five disorders that falls under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD), a category of neurological disorders characterized by "severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development." (Autistic Disorder, Aperger's Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder (CDD), Rett's Disorder, and PDD-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS))
This information was obtained from the Autism Society of America. For more information on the Autism Society of America, please visit www.autsim-society.org.