APPENDIX III-K: Autism-1 to 1.5 Million Individuals Stricken in the U.S.

This appendix is copied from:

http://www.autism‑society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FactsStats

• 1 in 150 births⁽¹⁾
• 1 to 1.5 million Americans⁽²⁾
• Fastest-growing developmental disability
• 10 - 17 % annual growth
• Growth comparison during the 1990s⁽³⁾:
• U.S. population increase: 13%
• Disabilities increase: 16%
• Autism increase: 172%
• $90 billion annual cost⁽⁴⁾
• 90% of costs are in adult services⁽⁴⁾
• Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention⁽⁴⁾
• In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion⁽⁵⁾

2003, 2006 Copyright Autism Society of America. All rights reserved.

1. Based on prevalence statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007).
2. Based on the autism prevalence rate of 2 to 6 per 1,000 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001) and 2000 U.S. Census figure of 280 million Americans.
3. U.S. Department of Education's "Twenty-First Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act" (1999).
4. Jarbrink K, Knapp M, 2001, London School of Economics study: "The economic impact on autism in Britain," 5 (1): 7-22.

ASA calculates that the annual cost of autism will increase to $200-400 billion in 10 years. February 2003