The numbers
journalists need.

Prevalence

Diagnosis

• ~50% of autistic adults were diagnosed after age 18 — the late-diagnosed adult population is the fastest-growing diagnostic category. Source: Cambridge Autism Research Centre + multiple cross-sectional studies, 2023-2024.
• Women and girls are systematically underdiagnosed because diagnostic criteria were developed studying 8-year-old boys. The high-masking presentation common in women extends diagnostic delay by decades. Source: Multiple peer-reviewed analyses, 2020-2024.
• Average overall age at diagnosis (when diagnosed): 4-5 years for boys with classical presentation, mid-30s+ for women and high-masking adults. Source: CDC + Autism Research Centre.
• ~1 in 4 autistic children also have an intellectual disability. Source: CDC ADDM Network.

Employment + economic outcomes

• ~85% of autistic adults in the United States are unemployed or significantly underemployed. Source: Drexel A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, National Autism Indicators Report, 2024.
• Autistic college graduates have higher unemployment rates than non-autistic peers with the same education level — the gap is structural (workplace design) not capability-based.
• Autistic workers report significantly elevated rates of workplace discrimination compared to non-autistic peers. Source: EEOC + Drexel.

Healthcare access

• Average diagnostic evaluation cost: $1,500-$3,500 out of pocket for adults; lower for children covered under insurance autism mandates.
• Average wait time for pediatric autism evaluation: 6-18 months, varies significantly by state.
• Average wait time for adult autism evaluation: 12+ months in states with limited adult-evaluator capacity.
• Per FOX5 Las Vegas (April 2026): Nevada families paying $80/hour out of pocket for autism therapy that state insurance was supposed to provide.

Mental health + co-occurring conditions

• 50-80% of autistic children experience clinically significant sleep difficulties. Source: American Academy of Sleep Medicine + multiple studies.
• Co-occurring ADHD in 30-80% of autistic populations (estimates vary by study). Source: peer-reviewed reviews, 2020-2024.
• Anxiety disorders + depression occur at significantly elevated rates in autistic populations vs neurotypical population.
• Autistic adults are at significantly elevated rates of suicide ideation, attempts, and completion. Source: peer-reviewed analyses, 2014-2024.
• Autistic adults are at significantly elevated risk of harm in police encounters. Source: Department of Justice + Disability Rights advocacy literature.

Sources + citations

• CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network — primary source for US prevalence numbers
• Drexel A.J. Drexel Autism Institute — National Autism Indicators Report series, employment + transition outcomes
• Cambridge Autism Research Centre (ARC) — adult diagnosis, masking research, gendered presentation
• American Academy of Pediatrics — diagnostic guidelines + clinical reports
• FOX5 Las Vegas, April 2026 — Nevada autism coverage gap reporting

Last refreshed: May 2026. Annual refresh commitment. Press: for the full source bibliography, contact press@autismacceptance.world.