Prevalence
Recent articles
High prevalence of developmental delay strains Australia’s support systems
The nation needs to build capacity to support the roughly 20 percent of children in Australia who have developmental delay.
![Young child stacks colored blocks on a table.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Motor-autism-development-811-1-1024x692.jpg)
High prevalence of developmental delay strains Australia’s support systems
The nation needs to build capacity to support the roughly 20 percent of children in Australia who have developmental delay.
Controversial ‘cost of autism’ paper retracted
The journal’s decision comes two years after Spectrum covered backlash from researchers over the study.
![A wadded up piece of red paper sits next to a wastebasket filled with similar pieces of crumped red paper.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-retraction-cost-of-autism-1-1024x692.jpg)
Controversial ‘cost of autism’ paper retracted
The journal’s decision comes two years after Spectrum covered backlash from researchers over the study.
U.S. study charts changing prevalence of profound and non-profound autism
Profound autism prevalence rose from 2002 to 2016, though not nearly as much as non-profound autism did.
![Out-of-focus photograph of a young girl sitting at a desk using an eraser.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/844-profound-autism-prevalence-1.jpg)
U.S. study charts changing prevalence of profound and non-profound autism
Profound autism prevalence rose from 2002 to 2016, though not nearly as much as non-profound autism did.
U.S. autism prevalence continues to rise as race and sex gaps shrink, new stats show
About 1 in 36 children in the United States has autism, up almost 20 percent from the previous estimate, reflecting improved identification, particularly among girls and Black, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander children.
![Overhead picture of a racially diverse group of children playing while lying on a blue carpet.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/844-autism-prevalence-1.jpg)
U.S. autism prevalence continues to rise as race and sex gaps shrink, new stats show
About 1 in 36 children in the United States has autism, up almost 20 percent from the previous estimate, reflecting improved identification, particularly among girls and Black, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander children.
Turner syndrome tied to autism
Most people with the X-linked syndrome have autism traits, and about one-quarter meet diagnostic criteria for the condition.
![Two teenage girls sit next to each other on a couch, one looking at a cell phone while the other uses a tablet computer.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/202301-Mental-health-female-autism-844.jpg)
Turner syndrome tied to autism
Most people with the X-linked syndrome have autism traits, and about one-quarter meet diagnostic criteria for the condition.
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
High rates of autism are linked to lower socioeconomic status and minority ethnic groups, according to the largest-ever autism incidence study.
![A map of England displaying autism incidence.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/844-lede-autism-incidence.png)
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
High rates of autism are linked to lower socioeconomic status and minority ethnic groups, according to the largest-ever autism incidence study.
Population study downgrades some copy number variants’ impact on autism
Some copy number variants may boost a person’s chances of having autism, but to a lesser extent than previously thought.
![Overhead view of crowd of people walking in Copenhagen city square.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CopyNumberVariations-844.jpg)
Population study downgrades some copy number variants’ impact on autism
Some copy number variants may boost a person’s chances of having autism, but to a lesser extent than previously thought.
Autism by the numbers: Explaining its apparent rise
Is autism really more common among children today than in generations past? This new downloadable book offers an in-depth guide to the various factors that have helped to drive autism prevalence numbers up.
![wooden pebble shapes stacked on top of each other, at varying heights, and according to colors of the spectrum.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Bookinside844.jpg)
Autism by the numbers: Explaining its apparent rise
Is autism really more common among children today than in generations past? This new downloadable book offers an in-depth guide to the various factors that have helped to drive autism prevalence numbers up.
U.S. autism prevalence inches upward as racial gaps close
Autism prevalence in the United States rose to 1 in 44 children in 2018, up from 1 in 54 in 2016.
![Birds-eye-view of children sitting on grass in a circle formation each inside a hula hoop to represent improved identification and diagnosis of autism.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PrevalenceCDC-844.jpg)
U.S. autism prevalence inches upward as racial gaps close
Autism prevalence in the United States rose to 1 in 44 children in 2018, up from 1 in 54 in 2016.
Autism without intellectual impairments more common than previously reported
Almost 60 percent of autistic people may have an average or above-average intelligence quotient, according to a new longitudinal study.
![Child with colorful tactile puzzle and clinician or therapist.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/IQinAutism-844.jpg)
Autism without intellectual impairments more common than previously reported
Almost 60 percent of autistic people may have an average or above-average intelligence quotient, according to a new longitudinal study.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.