US States With The Highest Autism Rates

As per the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies (NIEHS), Autism or autism spectrum disorder is a broad range of conditions that affect communication and behavior, usually appearing by age 2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that autism affects 1 in 36 children. People with autism may also have difficulty with communication and social interaction, they may have restricted interests, repetitive behaviors and inability to perform effectively in school, work, or other areas of life.

Who might be at more risk of autism?

• Anyone's sibling with autism
• Kids whose parents are older
• Anyone with certain genetic conditions, such as Down, fragile X, and Rett syndromes
• Very low birth weight

Why it happens?

The NIEHS states that the rate of autism is rising, though the causes are not well-understood. Experts have found rare gene changes or mutation and genetic variation in people with autism. Furthermore, a woman's exposure to harmful contaminants during pregnancy could also trigger a genetic mutation leading to autism in her child.

Can vaccine cause autism?

Some claims, especially by Robert F Kennedy Jr., who is also nominated as the head of health secretary are made that vaccine causes autism. Kennedy has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. In a 2023 podcast interview, he said, "there is no vaccine that is safe and effective" and told Fox News that he still believes that vaccines can cause autism. In a 2021 podcast, he urged people to "resist" CDC guidelines on when kids should get vaccines. “I see somebody on a hiking trail carrying a little baby and I say to him, better not get them vaccinated,” Kennedy said.

However many studies report that vaccines are not associated with autism. A 2014 study reports that authors conducted a meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies that examined relationship between the receipt of vaccines and development of autism. It involved more than 1.2 million children and five case-control studies involving more than 9,000 children and the authors concluded that vaccinations or components of vaccines and combination vaccines were not associated with development of autism.

Another 2017 study notes, "Myths that vaccines or mercury are associated with autism have been amplified by misguided scientists; frustrated, but effective parent groups; and politicians."

Autism Rate In US

According to data collected by Autism and Developmental Disabilities Network (ADDM) in 2020 and released by CDC in May 2023, data from 11 states across the US was collected. The national average of children with autism was 1 in 36. The data also shows that boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder than girls.

As per the CDC report, it is more prevalent in Asian, Hispanic, and Black children.

US states with highest autism rates

As per the World Population Review, California has the most rate with 701,669 cases.

Next up is Texas, at 449,631 cases.

New York: 342,280 cases

Florida: 329,131 cases

Pennsylvania: 228,572 cases

Illinois: 223,353 cases

Ohio: 185,315 cases

Georgia: 174,612 cases

Michigan: 164,360 cases

New Jersey: 157,245 cases