15 US States with the Highest Rates of Autism

Autism and other related social disorders affect hundreds of thousands of adults and children across the United States. Researchers have recently compiled a list of the top 15 states that have the highest rates of autism. Researchers aren't sure exactly what causes autism, and it is unlikely that geographical area directly affects the chance of a child being born with autism.

However, it is important to know the states with the highest autism rates to figure out what type of services they need to provide to support their autistic population.

We will also discuss early signs of autism so that you can take your child to a specialist and get the support you need if they are exhibiting early signs.

Early signs of autism

The following are a few signs that a child may have autism. None of these symptoms guarantee that a child has autism, but a combination of them may point to certain issues that should be addressed by a medical professional:

• No big smiles or warm facial expressions by the time they are six months or older.
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by the time they are nine months or older.
• No babbling by the time they are twelve months or older.
• No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by the time they are twelve months or older.
• No words are spoken by the time they are 16 months or older.
• No meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating) by the time they are 24 months or older.
• Any loss of speech, babbling, or social skills at any age.

These are some of the most common signs of autism in very young children. There are other explanations for some of these conditions, but the presence of any of these signs warrants a visit to a pediatrician or doctor for examination.

With new tests being developed to detect autism in young children and adults, the rates of autism across the country are slowly rising. This has increased the need for support groups, therapists, and research for treatments. Many different organizations have stepped up to provide support and awareness to autistic individuals, which poses a good sign for autism patients around the country. If you or someone you know is struggling with what you think may be autism, look up the organizations and support groups in your area. Autism is not a death sentence, and many patients can lead healthy fruitful lives with the right support network. These organizations are a great step in coping with and overcoming conditions that are on the autism spectrum. For more information on autism treatments, developments, and symptoms, be sure to visit the rest of our website.

Read on to learn about the 15 US states with the highest autism rates. This list was compiled by The Los Angeles Times and includes a list of the top 15 states and services they provide for the autistic population.