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What is Autism?

What is Autism? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological disorder that typically appears in the first three years.
  • About 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to estimates from CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, and 26.7 percent of them meet the criteria for profound autism, requiring lifelong high support needs. [Read article]
  • ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
  • ASD is more than 4 times more common among boys than among girls.
  • About 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability, as reported by parents, during a study period of 2009-2020 These included autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, blindness, and cerebral palsy, among others. [Read summary]

Washington State is home to 142864 children, adolescents and adults on the spectrum. Of them  51,096 are under 21, and 91,768 are adults 22 and older.

Children, adolescents, and adults on the spectrum face constant and sometimes overwhelming barriers to accessing healthcare, education, and community services. The very interventions that would support their connections to family, school and, community are denied or disrupted time and time again. We all need consistency and supportive environments to develop independence, learn and thrive. For individuals with autism spectrum disorders these basic needs cannot be overstated. Access to trained specialists, insurance coverage for therapies, educational accommodations, and supports are both what is needed and federally guaranteed. Individuals and families have enough additional complexity in their lives as they confront the uncertainty of this lifetime condition. Imagine what would be possible without this added burden of constantly fighting for the services to which they are not only legally entitled but also urgently need.

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