8 useful datapoints from our friends at Autism Speaks and the CDC about autism
Did you know ...
Autism now affects 1 in 59 children and 1 in 37 boys
Autism prevalence figures are growing
Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the U.S.
Autism costs a family $60,000 a year on average
Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
There is no medical detection or cure for autism
The timing and severity of autism’s first symptoms can vary widely. Some children with autism show hints of future problems within the first few months of life. In others, symptoms may not become obvious until 24 months or later.
Some children with autism appear to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then stop gaining new skills and/or start losing skills.
National Institutes of Health Funds Allocation
Total 2012 NIH budget: $30.86 billion
Of this, only $169 million goes directly to autism research. This represents 0.55% of total NIH funding.