Number of Adults with Autism Growing

During the Autism Society of America’s National Conference in Pittsburgh in July, ASERT shared some of the preliminary numbers from its recently updated PA Autism Census. The data indicate that there are over 35,000 Pennsylvanians living with autism receiving services. This number is even higher than was projected in the 2009 Autism Census Project and includes 15,000 additional Pennsylvanians living with autism since the 2009 Autism Census Report using 2005 data.

Another major finding of the census study is that the number of adults with autism is projected to rise rapidly, with more than 20,000 adults with autism living in Pennsylvania by 2020. These projections are driving efforts by BAS and ASERT to develop innovative ways to meet the needs of adults with autism.