What is Autism?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that causes significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. It refers to a group of developmental disabilities including Autism, Aspergers syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS).

How many people are affected by Autism?

About 1 in 88 children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.1

ASD is five times more common for boys affecting 1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls.1

Autism Spectrum Disorder is the fastest growing diagnosis, over the past thirty years the number of people with ASD increased by 1,148%, compared to a 73% increase in Cerebral Palsy and a 66% increase in Epilepsy.2

More children in the US are diagnosed with ASD than with than Muscular Dystrophy, Childhood Cancer, Juvenile Diabetes and Pediatric AIDS combined.*

Why support Celebrate Autism?

The average medical and non-medical cost for someone with ASD ranges from $67,000 to $72,000 per year.3

It can cost $3.2 million to take care of an autistic person over his or her lifetime.3

*Based on statistics from the Data Resource Center for Child & Adolescent Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention