Autism diagnoses are on the rise, and while that might sound alarming, it’s not necessarily a sign that autism itself is becoming more common. What’s likely changed is our awareness. Improved screening tools and broader understanding have helped more people receive the diagnoses they might have missed years ago,
especially those from historically underdiagnosed groups like Black and Hispanic children.
Since 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) data shows a steady increase in reported cases. So, are we seeing more autism, or just finally noticing it in places we hadn’t before? Click through the gallery to find out.