You may have seen headlines recently stating that autism rates are increasing. The CDC now estimates that 1 in 30 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), up from 1 in 35 just a few years ago. Understandably, these numbers might feel startling to some. But what if this increase isn’t a cause for alarm, but rather a sign of progress?

More Diagnoses, Not More Autism

A 20-year study in the UK published by Russell et al. (2023) found a 787% increase in autism diagnoses between 1998 and 2018. But this doesn’t mean that autism is on the rise in a biological or epidemic sense. Rather, it suggests we’re getting better at identifying autistic individuals across the lifespan, especially women and adults, who have historically been overlooked.

The study also noted that the largest increases in diagnosis rates were among adults and females. This reflects a long-overdue correction in who is seen and heard in clinical settings. Autism isn’t suddenly more common, it’s being recognized in populations who were previously missed.

A Global Pattern of Awareness

A global systematic review by Zeidan et al. (2023) echoes this trend, showing that autism prevalence varies widely by country and region—from 1 in 10,000 to over 1 in 25. The median prevalence was 1 in 100. These discrepancies aren’t because autism is less common in certain areas, but because of differences in community awareness, access to diagnostic services, and the evolution of diagnostic criteria.

In short, more people are receiving a name for their experience. That’s not a crisis, it’s an opportunity.

A New Lens on Neurodiversity

Instead of fearing a growing number, we can view these statistics as evidence that our systems are (slowly) improving. Autistic people have always been here. We’re just learning how to listen better.

For parents, educators, and providers, the rise in autism prevalence means it’s time to embrace neurodiversity in our classrooms, communities, and clinics. Diagnosis is a doorway to support and understanding, not a label of limitation.

Let’s continue creating a world where more people are seen, affirmed, and supported.

References

Russell, G., Stapley, S., Newlove‐Delgado, T., Salmon, A., White, R., Warren, F., … & Ford, T. (2022). Time trends in autism diagnosis over 20 years: a UK population‐based cohort study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 63(6), 674-682. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13505

Zeidan, J., Fombonne, E., Scorah, J., Ibrahim, A., Durkin, M. S., Saxena, S., … & Elsabbagh, M. (2022). Global prevalence of autism: A systematic review update. Autism research, 15(5), 778-790. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2696