Every April 2nd, the world turns blue to shine a spotlight on autism. Monuments and symbolic landmarks light up, while experts and institutions renew their commitment to raising awareness. However, beyond the celebrations, the issue remains crucial: cases are increasing, and despite progress in research, many questions remain unanswered.
In recent decades, the number of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses has risen significantly worldwide. In Italy, according to research by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, today 1 in 77 children aged 7-9 is diagnosed with an autism-related neurodivergence.
With a child population of approximately 8.5 million, according to ISTAT data, this means that around 110,000 children in Italy are affected by autism. In general, the number of people with ASD could be estimated between 150,000 and 200,000, including adults and undiagnosed cases.
In the United States, however, assessments by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate an even higher incidence, with a steadily increasing trend. One in 36 children is identified with ASD, a condition present across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and nearly four times more common in males than in females.
Given that the child population ages 0-17 in the U.S. is approximately 74 million, based on the 2020 U.S. Census data, this implies that around 2 million minors live with an autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, expanding the estimate to the adult population, the total number could rise to 5 million.
To address the crisis, states like Wisconsin have adopted special legislation to support both individuals affected by the condition and their families. “America’s Dairyland” was among the first to mandate health insurance coverage for behavioral therapies, allowing access to treatments that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive. This has enabled earlier case detection and a more effective integration of children into schools compared to other areas.
In Italy, the situation has its own peculiarities: while the school system provides adequate inclusion thanks to the support of specialized teachers, therapeutic services are often inconsistent and vary significantly from region to region. Additionally, the diagnostic process is often long and complicated, with waiting lists hindering timely access to necessary care.
Recently, the definition of autism has expanded, leading to the inclusion of milder forms that would have been overlooked in the past. Increased awareness among doctors and families has resulted in earlier and more accurate assessments.
Despite numerous studies, the exact causes of this condition remain unknown. While it is now well established that genetic components play a significant role, they are not the only determining indicators. Research has highlighted the influence of environmental factors, prenatal exposures, and even interactions between biological and social factors.
