When we hear phrases like “autism is increasing” or “1 in 36 people is autistic,” it’s understandable that concerns arise. Numbers can create confusion when they’re not explained in context—and sometimes even fear.
This space aims to do something different: to put the numbers in context, explain them clearly, and support you in understanding what they tell us—and what they don’t.
Autism: A Diverse Condition
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a disease.
We talk about a spectrum because there is no single way to be autistic. Each person has their own characteristics, strengths, and needs.
Differences can be seen in communication, social interaction, sensory processing, or ways of learning, and they don’t present the same way in every person or at every stage of life.
What does “prevalence” mean?
In simple terms, prevalence tells us how many people within a population have a certain condition at a specific moment in time or over a given period.
It is not the same as incidence (new cases).
And something very important: prevalence is always an estimate, not an exact count.
These estimates change depending on:
- The country
- Access to healthcare and education
- The diagnostic criteria used
- The available tools
- The historical moment when the study was conducted
Where does the famous “1 in 100” come from?
The World Health Organization reports that approximately 1 in 100 children is autistic, based on large international reviews.
In the United States, the CDC reported that 1 in 36 eight-year-old children had an autism diagnosis in 2020. However, the same researchers clarify that these data cannot be automatically generalized to other countries. The numbers are helpful, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Why do the numbers vary so much between countries?
Because not all countries measure the same things, nor do they have the same conditions to do so.
Most studies come from countries with:
- Greater access to diagnosis
- More robust healthcare and education systems
- Systematic data recording
In many regions of the world, especially in middle- and low-income countries, autistic people exist but are not always diagnosed or recorded.
For this reason, lower numbers do not mean lower prevalence, but rather lower detection.
And what about Ecuador?
In Ecuador, population-based studies are scarce. Some research shows low numbers, but they acknowledge significant limitations, such as:
- Limited access to specialized services
- Lack of social awareness
- Samples restricted to certain cities
Other official data show different numbers depending on age. This reminds us of something fundamental: numbers depend on how, where, and whom you observe.
Age and gender: what is often overlooked
Most diagnoses are made during school age, when environmental demands make certain differences more noticeable.
For years, it was said that the ratio was much higher in boys than in girls. Today we know that:
- Many autistic girls were and continue to be underdiagnosed
- Camouflaging, seemingly advanced language, and gender stereotypes play a role
- This has delayed access to timely support for many of them
It’s not that there are fewer autistic girls. It’s that for a long time, we didn’t know how to see them.
What does it mean when “prevalence increases”?
An increase in the numbers does not necessarily mean that there is more autism.
It more likely reflects:
- Greater awareness
- Better diagnostic criteria
- Increased access to evaluation
- A broader view of the spectrum
For this reason, many experts point out that we are not facing an autism epidemic, but rather an accumulation of needs that were previously unrecognized.
Reading the Data with a Critical Eye
All studies have limitations:
- Methodological differences
- Language barriers (most studies are published in English)
- Underreporting in adults
- Lack of representation from many regions of the world
For this reason, the numbers should not be used to create alarm, but rather as a tool to:
- Plan support
- Improve public policies
- Ensure rights
- Promote genuine inclusion
Today we can cautiously say that at least 1 in 100 people is autistic. But more important than the number is what we do with that information.
More detection should translate into:
- More support
- More reasonable accommodations
- More listening
- More respect for diversity
Because behind every number there are people, stories, and unique journeys that deserve to be supported with science… and with heart.
Based on the scientific article:
Espina Rodas MC. An In-Depth Analysis of Current Autism Prevalence Statistics. Acta Psiquiatr Psicol Am Lat. 2024;70(2):92-99. Available at: https://ojs.acta.org.ar/index.php/actapsi/article/view/38
