Research by Kaiser Permanente reveals that autism diagnoses in the U.S. surged 175% between 2011 and 2022, particularly among young adults. The study analyzed health records of over 12 million Americans and found a staggering 450% increase in diagnoses among adults aged 26 to 34, and a 315% rise in adult female cases. Currently, about 30 in every 1,000 children aged 5 to 8 are diagnosed with autism. The increase is attributed to heightened advocacy, better screening practices, and changes in diagnostic definitions, particularly with the 2013 DSM-5, which broadened the autism spectrum to include previously distinct disorders.
https://nypost.com/2024/10/31/lifestyle/autism-diagnoses-are-skyrocketing-in-the-us-new-study
