Autism: Staggering Statistics

Autism is classified as a complex neurobiological disorder. Most people diagnosed with autism will experience symptoms throughout their entire life. While it occurs in all ethnic and social groups, autism is more likely to impact the life of a boy than a girl. Autism itself is classified as part of a group called Autism Spectrum Disorders and can present itself with a myriad of symptoms, from mild to severe.

I find it important to show how common Autism is in today's society. Autism can be successfully diagnosed by the age of three, though some researchers believe it can be diagnosed much earlier in life. My godson was diagnosed as autistic at the age of two. He did not respond to his name or many verbal commands. He also presents with symptoms of sensory deprivation disorder, which means he does not physically feel pain or other sensations the same way that a normal person or child might.

Some interesting statistics about Autism:

- 1 in 166 children is autistic
- 1 in 104 boys in autistic
- 67 children are diagnosed daily
- More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined.

Let's break it down so you can see it realistically:

- Leukemia impacts the life of 1 child out of every 25,000. The private funding for Leukemia is approximately $310 million per year. If 1 out of 166 children autistic, that means that there are 150 autistic children for every ONE child with leukemia.

- Muscular Dystrophy impacts the life of 1 child out of every 20,000. The private funding for Muscular Dystrophy is approximately $175 million per year. If 1 out of 20,000 suffers from muscular dystrophy, there are 120 autistic children for every ONE child with muscular dystrophy.

Pediatric AIDS impacts the life of 1 child out of every 8,000. The private funding for Pediatric AIDS is approximately $394 million annually. There are 48 autistic children for every ONE child with Pediatric AIDS.