We believe that understanding autism begins with recognizing how it impacts our community. As providers of personalized ABA therapy across North Carolina, we’ve worked with many families seeking to understand more about autism. But how many children are affected by autism in the Tar Heel State?
To help families gain perspective, we’ve gathered the most current research on autism prevalence in North Carolina. In this article, we’ll share important statistics about autism rates, examine how diagnosis patterns have changed over time, and look at differences across gender and ethnicity.
We’ll also discuss typical diagnosis timelines and what this information means for families seeking support.
Top 7 Autism Stats for North Carolina
- Autism affects approximately 1 in 39 eight-year-olds in central North Carolina
- Since 2002, autism diagnosis rates in kids in NC have nearly tripled
- Over 40,000 individuals are receiving direct autism services in North Carolina
- The median age at diagnosis in North Carolina is 38 months
- Boys in NC are 4.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism than girls
- Asian and Pacific Islander children in NC have the highest diagnosis rates
- About 34.1% of autistic eight-year-olds in North Carolina have an intellectual disability
Understanding Autism Rates in North Carolina
1. Autism affects 1 in 39 8-year-olds in central North Carolina.
According to the CDC’s latest report about North Carolina (published in 2020), which includes North Carolina data, approximately 2.5% of eight-year-olds in central North Carolina have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
This rate is significantly higher than the national average of 1 in 31 (admittedly, this new data is from 2022).
Among the 11 states included in the CDC’s monitoring network in 2020, only New Jersey had a higher prevalence rate than North Carolina, with 1 in 32 children 8 years old (3.1%) having an autism diagnosis. Other states with above-average rates included Minnesota (1 in 44; 2.3%), Maryland (1 in 52; 1.9%), and Georgia (1 in 53; 1.9%).
2. Autism Diagnosis Rates Have Nearly Tripled Since 2002.
In 2002, the CDC reported that approximately 1 in 153 eight-year-olds (0.65%) in North Carolina had an autism diagnosis. Today’s rate of 1 in 39 (2.5%) represents a 284.6% increase in recognized autism prevalence in North Carolina.
This significant increase doesn’t necessarily mean that autism itself has become more common. That’s just one of the many modern myths about autism. Instead, it reflects several positive developments in autism awareness and diagnosis.
Today, healthcare providers, educators, and parents are more knowledgeable about autism, even in kids as young as 18 months old. Diagnostic criteria have also evolved, bringing previously separate diagnoses (like Asperger’s syndrome) under the autism spectrum umbrella.
3. Over 40,000 individuals are receiving direct autism services in North Carolina.
There are approximately 980,000 individuals (from 3 to 21 years old) with autism in the US that are using IDEA services.
4. North Carolina Children Receive Earlier Diagnoses (38 months).
One area where North Carolina truly stands out, based on the CDC’s data, is in the early identification of autism.
The state’s median age at first diagnosis is just 38 months (3 years and 2 months), significantly earlier than most other states. By comparison, the median age in Maryland is 47.5 months, in Colorado it is 48.5 months, and in Wisconsin it is 49 months.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Arizona recorded the highest median age at diagnosis: 57 months.
North Carolina also leads in early evaluation, with children receiving their first comprehensive assessment at a median age of 29 months.
As for other states, Wisconsin ranked second at 36 months, followed by Colorado at 37.5 months and Maryland at 38 months. The highest median age was recorded in Arkansas, with 46 months.
5. Boys in NC are 4.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls.
According to the CDC, about 1 in 24 boys (4.1%) in North Carolina are diagnosed with autism by age 8, compared to just 1 in 111 girls (0.9%).
While this gender gap exists nationwide, it’s especially pronounced in North Carolina, where the overall rates are also higher than the national average.
For context, autism stats across the U.S. show that 8-year-old boys are roughly 3.4 times more likely than girls to receive an autism diagnosis.
There’s no single explanation for this difference, but researchers have proposed several theories. One is that boys display motor skill issues at an earlier age, and girls tend to mask their symptoms, possibly due to a mix of biological and social factors.
Another relatively recent theory points to the diagnostic criteria themselves, which were historically based on male behavior and may overlook how autism presents in girls.
6. Asian and Pacific Islander kids in NC are most likely to have ASD.
A look at autism demographics in North Carolina reveals that autism diagnoses among 8-year-olds show notable differences by ethnicity.
Children of Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds had the highest rate at 2.82% (about 1 in 35), followed closely by non-Hispanic Black children at 2.79% (1 in 36), and non-Hispanic White children at 2.33% (1 in 43).
Hispanic children had the lowest prevalence, with a rate of 1.93%; 1 in 52 8-year-olds.
7. 34.1% of autistic 8-year-olds in North Carolina have an intellectual disability.
It’s important to understand that autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not an intellectual disability. Still, some children with autism also have co-occurring intellectual challenges.
In 2020, the CDC found that about one-third of autistic 8-year-olds in the U.S. had an intellectual disability, defined by the official guidelines in DSM-5 as an IQ of 70 or below, along with challenges in adaptive functioning.
In North Carolina, the numbers closely reflect this national trend: 34.1% of autistic 8-year-olds fell into the intellectually disabled range.
Another 20.8% had IQ scores between 71 and 85 (considered the borderline range for intellectual functioning), while the remaining 44.9% scored 85 or above, placing them in the average or higher range of intellectual functioning.
What These Statistics Mean for North Carolina Families
While North Carolina has higher autism diagnosis rates than most states, it is a very autism-friendly place, providing numerous services and benefits for autistic children.
It is also the leader in early identification and support, which gives families a head start in accessing interventions during crucial developmental windows.
Research consistently shows that beginning appropriate support between ages 2-5 can significantly impact a child’s developmental trajectory.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is one of the most research-backed and effective treatments for children with autism. At Abacus Therapies, our experienced team offers personalized ABA sessions in homes and schools across North Carolina, and at our new ABA therapy center in Charlotte, NC.
We’re here to make the process simple and supportive. Schedule a free consultation by phone, email, or text, and we’ll build a custom program tailored to your child’s unique needs every step of the way.
Sources:
