ASD: Cause and Prevalence
While the prevalence of autism continues to increase, its cause remains unknown.
Cause of ASD
At this point, the cause of autism remains unknown. However, one theory that has strong scientific evidence is that genetics play a significant role in contributing to the occurrence of ASD. Studies show the concordance rate for identical twins is much higher than for fraternal twins, and ongoing research is beginning to identify genes that may put an individual at risk.
Additionally, in the last decade, we have seen considerable speculation about environmental toxins, diets, and vaccines, but there is no convincing scientific evidence that demonstrates a causal link to ASD. In particular, there is overwhelming evidence that vaccines do not cause ASD. As a result, adherence to these speculative beliefs is tragic because children are harmed by not receiving life-saving vaccination.
Finding the answer will require long-term, painstaking, rigorous, and sophisticated scientific investigation. Professional responsibility and ethics demand that care be taken not to over-speculate, misrepresent nor present mere hypotheses as facts for the causes of autism.
Prevalence of ASD
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in the United States has increased from 1 in 44 children in 2021 to 1 in 36 children in 2023, representing an 18% rise in prevalence. (Center for Diseases Prevention and Control, CDC 2023)
1,100,000 cases of autism in China; 650,000 in the UK; 500,000 in the Philippines; and 180,000 in Thailand (the World Health Organization, WHO, 2009)
49 children in every 10,000 is diagnosed with the disorder in Hong Kong (epidemiological study by V. Wong & S. Hui (2007) of The University of Hong Kong)
ASD is more than 4 times more common among boys than among girls. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, ASD) Read article
Studies in Asia, Europe, and North America have identified individuals with ASD with an average prevalence of about 1%. A study in South Korea reported a prevalence of 2.6%. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, ASD)
Approximately 67 million people worldwide are affected by autism.