Autism: Facts and Figures
According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects 1 in 59 children. Children with autism often get overlooked in society. Because the general public is not educated on what autism is and what people with autism are like,
- People with autism are bullied by their coworkers, peers, and other people they associate with.
- Many stigmas about autism exist in countries all around the world. This can cause people to neglect the topic altogether.
- Stereotypes about how people with autism act, think, or behave can make people form preconcieved notions that are not necessarily true. This is the cause for hesitation, anger, or confusion when it comes to approaching someone who is on the spectrum.
Statistics
Autism Rates Are On the Rise
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism rates are rising exponentially. In fact, the new estimate represents a 15 percent increase in prevalence nationally: 1 in 59 children, differing greatly from 1 in 68 which held true two years previous.
Bullying + Autism
Children with special needs and developmental disorders such as autism face a great amount of bullying and isolation in society. According to Autism Speaks, nearly two thirds of those who are on the autism spectrum are extremely prone to bullying. In a recent survey conducted by Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, many alarming facts were found, including:
- 65% of parents who have a child with autism going to school reported that their children had, in some form, been experiencing being victimized by peers within the last one year.
- 47% reported that their children had been hit by either their peers or siblings.
- 50% reported that their children were scared to go to school or to talk to certain peers.
- 9% were violently bobbed by a gang and got hurt in their private parts.
- 12% indicated that their child had hardly been invited to a birthday party in the last 3 years.
- 6% were rarely picked in school/class teams.
- 3% had eaten lunch alone every day.
Around the Globe
About 67 Million people around the world are affected by autism.
On an average, 1 in 160 children face some degree of autism.
Source: https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/hw/medical-topics/autism-hw152184