How common is autism?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, autism affects as many as 1 in every 150 children in that country. The statistics are the same in Canada. U.S. government statistics suggest the rate of autism is rising 10 to 17 percent annually. Unfortunately, the numbers appear to be continuing their upward climb. Studies suggest boys are four times more susceptible than girls to developing autism – so 1 out of 94 boys are now suspected of being on the spectrum, with perhaps more going undiagnosed to this day. That said, when girls are diagnosed, research suggests that on average, they appear to manifest a more severe form of the disorder than their male counterparts. Currently, more children are diagnosed with autism than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. Rarely do you find someone who is not personally touched by autism or does not know someone through friends, family and work colleagues who is affected by autism in some way.
