What is Autism?

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a group of pervasive developmental disabilities, first appearing before age 3, that cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.

 CDC data estimates a male-to-female ratio of 4:1 in autism, but other research suggests a ratio closer to 3:1. A recent systematic review, however, confirmed the CDC data.

• Autism Parenting Magazine’s exclusive data reveals close to 6% of autistic children have some form of gender dysphoria

• Autism occurs in all socioeconomic groups. In contrast to previous years’ ADDM data, socioeconomic status (as measured by neighborhood-level mean household income) was not consistently associated with autism prevalence

• Overall, ASD prevalence, according to the latest data, was lower among non-Hispanic White children (24.3) and children of two or more races (22.9) than among non-Hispanic Black or African American (Black), Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander (A/PI) children (29.3, 31.6, and 33.4 respectively).

• A recent study confirmed these disparities in that, compared with non-Hispanic White children, ASD prevalence was 1.8 times as high among Hispanic, 1.6 times as high among non-Hispanic Black children.