A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that Autism has surged among both children and adults.
Upon analyzing the records of 12.2 million Americans between 2011 and 2022, researchers concluded that Autism has increased from 2.3 to 6.3 per 1,000 people.
Those between the ages of 26 and 34 had the largest increase in Autism, with a 450% surge. Despite this age group having the largest increase in diagnoses, the group most often diagnosed with Autism is children aged 5-8.
“Prevalence among children in the US has risen over 4-fold in the past 2 decades, from 6.7 cases per 1000 (1 in 150) in 2000 to 27.6 per 1000 (1 in 36) in 2020,” the study said.
Across all demographics analyzed, Autism increased by 175% in the years studied.
Of those assessed in the study, 77,683 have Autism.
“Rates reported here may underestimate the true prevalence of ASD in adults, especially older female adults, as many would not have been screened in childhood and remain undiagnosed,” the researchers wrote. “Nevertheless, our findings indicate that the population of autistic adults in the US will continue to grow, underscoring a need for expanded health care services.”
The study was led by a team from Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research in California.
