As communities come together this month to bring awareness and acceptance around autism spectrum disorder, it’s important to reflect on what this condition means. While there is no single cause of autism identified yet, we do know that it is a spectrum condition that affects people in varying degrees. It is a neurological and developmental disorder that causes social, communication, and other behavioral challenges.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms. But for people with ASD, these characteristics can make life very challenging.
There are many ways to demonstrate your support of autism awareness, acceptance, and advocacy during April, and throughout the year. Autism Awareness Month begins with the United Nations sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. The first awareness day was created in the 1970s by the Autism Society and it has evolved over time, officially being adopted by Congress in 1984.
Important Autism Statistics
- Over 7 million people in the US are on the autism spectrum
- 1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism, according to the CDC
- Boys are 4X more likely to be diagnosed as girls
- Autism is 1.9X more likely to be diagnosed in black children than Hispanic children
- 2.2% of adults are autistic
- A child has 19% higher risk of autism if an older sibling has autism as well
- More than a 1/3 of autism caregivers use an ABA therapy provider
What Are the Average Costs of Autism Care?
As with most aspects regarding autism care, covering the costs of therapy and other treatments has come a long way. The CDC reports that most parents need anywhere from $17,000 to $21,000 per year for costs relating to medical care and therapy for their child with autism.
There have been many recent developments for covering these costs of care. Some states now mandate that insurance companies cover the costs of autism treatment. Also, the cost of intervention is typically covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Families can find support to cover these costs through a variety of funding methods including private insurance, state-funded care and school-funded care.