Why human engagement lies at the heart of treating autism
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. In 2000, the estimated prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in the US was about 1 in 150 children; by 2020, it had risen to 1 in 36. This increase is attributed to factors such as improved screening, heightened awareness, and changes in diagnostic criteria.
The covid-19 pandemic induced lockdown has been followed by a significant increase in ASD diagnoses among both children and adults. Between 2011 and 2022, the rate of Americans diagnosed with autism increased by 175%, and the incidence is children is now pegged at one in thirty. This increase in the prevalence is attributed to delayed diagnoses due to pandemic disruptions, increased awareness and improved diagnostic practices.
In India, autism rates vary between 0.4% in north Goa to 1.8% in Palwal, a rural area in north-central India. These variations highlight the lack of comprehensive and standardized data collection across the country. Recent studies suggest that genetics and environmental exposures may contribute to the development of ASD.
A recent study (published in Nature Medicine in January 2025) of 1.1 million pregnancies found no convincing evidence that maternal infections or health issues during pregnancy cause autism, instead pointing to genetics and environmental factors as more likely contributors. Senior researcher and author Magdalena Janecka, PhD, believes “The predominant hypothesis is that autism really starts prenatally. Even before a child receives a diagnosis for autism, developmental changes have been happening the entire time".
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