Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive patterns of behavior and difficulties with social communication and interaction. Whether you suspect you have autism or have recently received a diagnosis, the good news is that breakthrough research is helping us understand ASD more every day.

In this Quick Tips article, Ability Central answers the following frequently asked questions about autism spectrum disorder:

• How common is autism?
• What are the signs of ASD in adults?
• How prevalent is autism across races and classes?
• Does gender play a role in autism?
• How long has the diagnosis of autism been around?
• What are the positive attributes of ASD?
• What other conditions are associated with autism?
• What are some career options for adults with ASD?
• Are there famous people with autism?

How common is autism?

The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis estimates that 1 in 68 children has ASD. Since 2002, an increase in awareness and changes in diagnostic procedures have doubled the diagnostic rate of ASD.

The CDC estimates that 2.21% of adults (5,437,988) in the US have ASD.

Signs of autism in adults

According to the CDC, teens and adults with autism tend to have higher unemployment rates, are less likely to seek higher education, often live at home into adulthood, and spend significantly less time with friends. To learn more about common autism symptoms, see Signs of Autism in Adults.

Autism across race and class

ASD exists in all races and classes. However, studies show that white children are 19% more likely than black children and 65% more likely than Hispanic children to be diagnosed with autism.

Gender, gender identity, and autism

Boys are significantly more likely to develop ASD than girls. In addition, a 2020 study also made a connection between autism and the number of people who do not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth. The study concluded that gender-diverse people are three to six times as likely to be autistic as cisgender people are.

How long has ASD been a diagnosis?

Dr. Leo Kanner used the term on eleven patients he studied, starting with Donald Triplett in 1943. Dr. Kanner observed that Triplett used explosive and seemingly irrelevant language, referred to himself in the third person, repeated words and phrases spoken to him, and communicated his own desires by attributing them to others. He described this observation as “autistic disturbances of affective contact.” Dr. Kanner presented his findings on autism in The Nervous Child. He provided details of behavioral patterns and observations that were consistent in the eleven patients that he studied.

Positive attributes of ASD

The good news is that there is a strong link between the neurodiversity that causes autism and some amazing skills. For example, research has shown that individuals with ASD could solve problems an average of 40 percent faster than individuals with neurotypical brain development. In addition, adults with ASD tend to have strong visual skills and excellent memory skills.

What other conditions are associated with autism?

While autism spectrum disorder is not known to cause any particular medical condition, it has often been linked to common co-occurring conditions. 

People with autism are more likely to have:

• Seizure disorders like epilepsy
• Gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Migraines and chronic headaches
• Skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis
• Autoimmune diseases like Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, or rheumatoid arthritis
• Asthma
• Food allergies
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a connective tissue disorder that cause issues with mobility

Career options for adults with ASD

Given the positive attributes that autism often carries, there are many great career options for adults with ASD, including animal sciences, research, accounting, and engineering. With a great support system and knowledgeable guidance, autistic teens and adults can often lead independent, productive lives.

Famous people with autism

If you have autism or have a loved one with the disorder, it’s important to remember that many famous and successful people with autism have shown that ASD does not have to limit your life. Although we can only speculate about historic figures who lived before ASD was identified, the following figures have either said they have autism or have been identified as sharing distinctive behaviors and personality traits that are common with ASD.

• Amadeus Mozart: musician and composer
• Alan Turing: influential in the invention of the computer and WWII codebreaker
• Thomas Jefferson: American Politician
• Satoshi Tajiri: creator of Nintendo’s Pokémon
• Elon Musk: entrepreneur
• Darryl Hannah: actor
• Albert Einstein: physicist
• Jerry Seinfeld: actor and comedian
• Bobby Fischer: chess grandmaster
• Isaac Newton: physicist
• Vernon L. Smith: Nobel Prize winner in economics
• Leonardo da Vinci: artist and inventor
• Dan Aykroyd: actor
• Emily Dickinson: poet
• Ludwig Wittgenstein: logician and philosopher

Armed with these Quick Tips, it’s time to explore the Ability Central library, including:

• Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder in adults
• What to do after receiving the diagnosis
• Support groups