Autism Statistics in US 2025 | Autism Facts

Autism in the US 2025

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has emerged as one of the most extensively discussed and researched public health topics across the United States. From congressional hearings to school board meetings, from medical conferences to family dinner tables, autism touches millions of American lives and dominates conversations about childhood development, educational resources, and healthcare policy. The national dialogue surrounding autism encompasses diverse perspectives—from parents seeking answers about their children’s diagnoses to researchers exploring genetic and environmental factors, from educators developing inclusive classroom strategies to policymakers allocating billions in funding for autism services and research.

The landscape of Autism Spectrum Disorder in America continues to evolve with striking changes reflected in the latest data. Recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that autism identification has reached unprecedented levels across the nation. Understanding these numbers provides families, healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers with essential insights into the current state of autism diagnosis and support needs throughout communities. The shift in prevalence rates represents more than statistical changes—it reflects improved awareness, enhanced screening practices, and evolving diagnostic approaches that have transformed how we identify children with autism.

Throughout the past two decades, researchers and clinicians have witnessed remarkable transformations in autism identification patterns. What began as relatively rare diagnoses have now become significantly more common, driven by better understanding of the autism spectrum, increased availability of diagnostic services, and reduced barriers to evaluation in previously underserved communities. The 2025 statistics demonstrate that autism affects millions of American children, making it one of the most prevalent developmental disabilities in the country. These numbers underscore the critical importance of early identification, intervention services, and long-term support systems that help individuals with autism reach their full potential throughout their lives.

Latest Autism Facts and Statistics in the US 2025

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network Report, April 2025

The numbers presented in this comprehensive table reveal substantial shifts in how autism presents across American communities. The increase from 1 in 36 to 1 in 31 represents a significant jump that reflects multiple factors including enhanced screening protocols, expanded access to diagnostic services, and growing awareness among parents and healthcare providers about early signs of autism. The data collected from 16 surveillance sites across the United States provides the most accurate picture available of autism prevalence among 8-year-old children in 2022, released in April 2025.

Particularly noteworthy is the persistent gender disparity, with boys being diagnosed at 3.4 times the rate of girls. This male-to-female ratio has actually narrowed from previous years when it stood at 4.2 to 1 in 2018 and 3.8 to 1 in 2020, suggesting improvements in identifying autism among girls who often present with different symptom patterns than boys. However, the absolute difference between boys and girls has widened to 34.9 per 1,000 children, meaning more boys are being diagnosed even as the ratio improves. The racial and ethnic breakdown demonstrates a complete reversal from historical patterns—minority children now show higher prevalence rates than white children, indicating progress in reducing diagnostic disparities that previously left many minority children unidentified.

Autism Prevalence by Age Groups in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network Surveillance Summary, 2025

Age-related autism statistics reveal critical information about when children receive their diagnoses and how early identification efforts have evolved over time. The fact that 50.3% of children with autism were evaluated by age 36 months represents progress, yet it simultaneously highlights that nearly half still aren’t evaluated until after their third birthday. Early intervention services prove most effective when started before age 3, making this statistic particularly important for understanding current service delivery gaps and opportunities for improvement across the nation.

The comparison between children born in 2018 (aged 4 in 2022) and those born in 2014 (aged 8 in 2022) demonstrates remarkable progress in early identification. The younger cohort had 1.7 times higher cumulative incidence of diagnosis by 48 months, ranging from 1.4 times higher in Arizona and Georgia to 3.1 times higher in Puerto Rico. This acceleration in early diagnosis reflects sustained efforts by healthcare systems, educational institutions, and advocacy organizations to promote developmental screening and reduce the age of first diagnosis. The median diagnosis age of 47 months overall masks significant geographic variation, with some communities achieving diagnosis at 36 months while others lag behind at nearly 70 months, demonstrating that where a child lives significantly impacts when they receive critical diagnostic services and early intervention support.

Autism Prevalence by Gender and Sex in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), April 2025

The gender disparity in autism diagnosis remains one of the most consistent and striking patterns in autism research. With boys diagnosed at more than three times the rate of girls, this difference has profound implications for understanding autism’s biological underpinnings and ensuring girls receive appropriate evaluation. The narrowing ratio from 4.2:1 in 2018 to 3.4:1 in 2025 suggests growing recognition of autism in girls, who often display different behavioral presentations that can mask classic autism symptoms commonly associated with boys. Research indicates that girls with autism may develop compensatory social strategies that hide their challenges, leading to later or missed diagnoses throughout childhood.

Despite the improving ratio, the absolute number gap between boys and girls continues to widen. The difference has grown from 27.7 per 1,000 in 2018 to 34.9 per 1,000 in 2025, meaning that while detection of autism in girls improves, the overall increase in autism diagnoses affects boys at an even greater rate. Interestingly, when examining co-occurring intellectual disability, boys and girls show remarkably similar rates—39.5% for boys and 40.4% for girls—suggesting that the gender differences primarily relate to autism characteristics rather than cognitive functioning. This finding challenges earlier assumptions and highlights the importance of developing gender-sensitive diagnostic criteria and evaluation tools that can identify autism across the full spectrum of presentations, particularly in girls who may exhibit subtler social communication challenges.

Autism Prevalence by Race and Ethnicity in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network Surveillance Data, 2025 Report

The racial and ethnic distribution of autism diagnoses represents a complete reversal from patterns observed before 2016. Historically, white children showed the highest autism prevalence rates, but the 2025 data confirms a continued trend where Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and multiracial children all exceed white children in autism prevalence. This shift reflects improved access to diagnostic services in previously underserved communities, reduced cultural barriers to seeking evaluations, and enhanced awareness among healthcare providers serving diverse populations across different geographic regions and socioeconomic backgrounds.

However, the story becomes more complex when examining co-occurring intellectual disability rates. Black children with autism show the highest rate of intellectual disability at 52.8%, followed by American Indian/Alaska Native children at 50%—significantly higher than the 32.7% rate among white children with autism and 31.2% among multiracial children. These disparities raise important questions about social determinants of health, including prenatal care access, environmental exposures, nutrition, and early intervention availability. Higher rates of preterm birth among Black mothers (12.3% compared to 7.6% for white mothers) contribute to increased risk of neurodevelopmental impairments. Other factors potentially influencing these disparities include lead exposure, traumatic brain injuries, and access to quality early childhood interventions that can improve cognitive outcomes for children with autism.

Autism Prevalence by Geographic Location in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022 Data

Geographic variation in autism prevalence reveals striking differences across American communities, with rates varying more than 5-fold between the highest and lowest sites. California leads with 53.1 per 1,000 children, while Texas Laredo shows only 9.7 per 1,000—a dramatic difference that cannot be explained by biological factors alone. These disparities likely reflect differences in screening practices, diagnostic resources, service availability, insurance coverage, and community awareness about autism rather than true differences in autism occurrence among children living in these areas.

California’s consistently high prevalence since joining the ADDM Network in 2018 may be attributed to initiatives like the Get SET Early model, where hundreds of pediatricians received training to screen and refer children for assessment as early as possible. Additionally, California’s regional centers provide evaluations and service coordination for persons with disabilities statewide. Pennsylvania, with the second-highest prevalence among 8-year-olds, has state Medicaid policy that includes children with physical, developmental, mental health, or intellectual disabilities regardless of parents’ income, potentially removing financial barriers to diagnosis. Puerto Rico showed the second-highest prevalence among 4-year-olds, reflecting dedicated joint efforts since 2017 to decrease the age of first diagnostic evaluation. The low prevalence in Texas Laredo, serving primarily Hispanic and lower-income communities, suggests continued barriers to accessing identification services in certain populations despite overall improvements in minority identification nationwide.

Autism Identification Methods and Testing in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network Surveillance Summary, 2025

The methods used to identify children with autism vary considerably across communities, revealing important differences in diagnostic practices and documentation standards. 68.4% of children with autism had a documented diagnostic statement from a comprehensive developmental evaluation, though this ranged dramatically from 41.2% in Texas Austin to 95.0% in Puerto Rico. These variations reflect differences in data source availability, clinical practices, and how thoroughly diagnostic information is documented in accessible records throughout different healthcare and educational systems.

Autism diagnostic testing practices also showed substantial variation, with overall 66.5% of children having a documented autism-specific test, ranging from 24.7% in New Jersey to 93.5% in Puerto Rico. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), considered a gold standard assessment, was documented for 39.6% of children overall, making it the most common test used. The Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS) followed at 30.2%, and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) at 24.1%. These percentages indicate that roughly one-third of children identified with autism did not have any autism-specific diagnostic test documented in their records, suggesting reliance on clinical judgment, behavioral observations, and other assessment methods. The wide variation across sites—from less than 25% to more than 90% having documented testing—highlights differences in diagnostic resources, practices, and requirements for autism identification across American communities.

Special Education Categories for Autism in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network Data, 2025

Among children with autism who had Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) available in their records (63.7% of the total), autism served as the primary special education eligibility category for 77.7%, making it by far the most common classification. However, many children received services under multiple eligibility categories, with speech or language impairment being documented for nearly one in four children (24.7%), reflecting the significant communication challenges associated with autism spectrum disorder.

Health, physical, or other disability categories were documented for 7.9%, developmental delay for 6.9%, and intellectual disability as a separate category for 3.6%. The developmental delay category typically applies to younger children, while intellectual disability as a formal eligibility category appears relatively infrequently despite 39.6% of children with autism having measured intellectual disability based on IQ testing. This discrepancy suggests that when children qualify for services under the autism category, that classification takes precedence even when co-occurring intellectual disability exists, possibly because the autism classification provides access to specialized services specifically designed for children on the spectrum rather than more general special education supports.

Cognitive Ability and Intellectual Disability in Autism in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network Cognitive Assessment Data, 2025

Cognitive ability among children with autism varies substantially, with 61.4% having IQ data available from testing. Among those tested, 39.6% were classified as having intellectual disability (ID) with IQ scores of 70 or below, 24.2% fell in the borderline range (71-85), and 36.1% scored in the average or higher range (above 85). The median age of the most recent cognitive test was 67 months (approximately 5.6 years), though this varied by site from 45 months in Texas Austin to 85 months in Puerto Rico, indicating different practices regarding when and how frequently children receive cognitive assessments.

The rate of intellectual disability among children with autism varied dramatically across sites, ranging from 24.8% in Puerto Rico to 80.0% in Texas Laredo—more than a three-fold difference. This enormous variation cannot be entirely explained by true population differences and likely reflects differences in which children are identified with autism, testing practices, quality of cognitive assessments, and potentially cultural or linguistic factors affecting test performance. Interestingly, children with autism and co-occurring intellectual disability received their autism diagnosis earlier (median 43 months) compared to children without intellectual disability (median 49 months), suggesting that more significant developmental delays prompt earlier evaluation and diagnosis. The similar rates of intellectual disability between boys (39.5%) and girls (40.4%) indicate that cognitive functioning does not explain the substantial gender differences in autism prevalence.

Autism Prevalence by Socioeconomic Status in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network, American Community Survey 2022

The relationship between autism prevalence and socioeconomic status has transformed dramatically in recent years. Before 2010, higher autism prevalence was consistently associated with higher socioeconomic status, with wealthier communities showing greater autism identification. The 2025 data reveals a completely different picture: at 11 sites, no association exists between neighborhood median household income and autism prevalence, while at 5 sites (New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas Laredo, Utah, and Wisconsin), lower income neighborhoods showed higher autism prevalence.

This reversal represents a fundamental shift in autism identification patterns across America. The income tertiles were defined to include roughly equal child populations: the low tertile included neighborhoods with median household incomes up to $62,470, the medium tertile ranged from $62,472 to $97,768, and the high tertile from $97,813 to $250,001. When researchers examined data using the Social Vulnerability Index, which incorporates additional socioeconomic and community factors beyond income alone, they found generally similar patterns: 11 sites showed no association between social vulnerability and autism prevalence, while 5 sites (Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin) demonstrated higher autism prevalence in more vulnerable communities. These findings suggest improved access to diagnostic services in previously underserved communities, though disparities in co-occurring intellectual disability rates indicate that challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to early intervention and quality developmental support services.

COVID-19 Impact on Autism Identification in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network Pandemic Analysis, 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on autism identification was visible but temporary according to the 2025 data. When comparing children born in 2018 (aged 4 in 2022) to those born in 2014 (aged 8 in 2022) during the same age window, the younger cohort generally received more evaluations and had higher identification rates throughout ages 0-4 years. However, in March and April 2020, the first two months after the pandemic declaration, this pattern was disrupted, with evaluation numbers and identification rates becoming similar or lower for the 2018 cohort compared to the 2014 cohort at the same ages.

By June 2020, just three months after the pandemic onset, the pattern of higher evaluations and identifications among the younger cohort resumed, indicating that diagnostic services adapted relatively quickly to pandemic conditions. The presence of telehealth assessments in 8.7% of evaluations suggests that remote service delivery helped children continue receiving evaluations when in-person assessments were not possible. The lack of sustained decreases in evaluation or identification could be related to the age of children when affected—the 2018 birth cohort was between 2-4 years old during the early pandemic, an age when developmental concerns often become more apparent to parents and caregivers who may have had increased time observing their children’s development during lockdowns. Overall, while the pandemic temporarily disrupted autism diagnostic services, no evidence suggests a lasting negative impact on autism identification rates, with systems demonstrating resilience and adaptation to maintain critical developmental evaluation services.

Autism Diagnosis Timeline Improvements in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC ADDM Network Early Identification Analysis, 2025

By 2025, data indicate substantial improvements in the timeline of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis across the United States. Children born in 2018 and evaluated at age 4 in 2022 demonstrated a cumulative incidence of 22.6 per 1,000, compared to only 13.1 per 1,000 among children born in 2014 and assessed at age 8. This corresponds to a 1.7-fold increase in early identification within the more recent cohort, representing a significant advancement in early surveillance, screening practices, and public health awareness. Earlier identification is critical because it enables earlier access to intervention services, which has been consistently associated with improved developmental outcomes.

Regional analyses reveal heterogeneity in progress. Puerto Rico reported the most substantial improvement, with a 3.1-fold higher early identification rate, while Arizona and Georgia exhibited modest gains of 1.4-fold each. In contrast, Minnesota and Austin, Texas, demonstrated relatively stable rates with no measurable change over time. Notably, five sites—California, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Laredo, Texas—showed higher prevalence among 4-year-olds than older cohorts, suggesting more efficient early diagnostic uptake in these areas. Despite these advances, prevalence at age 4 (29.3 per 1,000) remains slightly lower than at age 8 (32.2 per 1,000), indicating that while diagnostic timelines are improving nationally, opportunities remain to further enhance uniformity and timeliness of autism detection.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.