If your child was recently diagnosed with autism, or you are starting to wonder if autism is part of your family’s story, you may be asking how common it is. Many parents search for how many people have high functioning autism in particular. Here is what the latest research tells us, what the term means today, and what the numbers mean for your family.
The short answer: There is no official count, because “high functioning autism” is not a medical diagnosis. The closest data comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In its most recent report, about 1 in 31 eight-year-olds in the areas studied had autism. About 4 in 10 of those children also had an intellectual disability, which means about 6 in 10 did not. Children with autism who do not have an intellectual disability are often the group people mean when they say “high functioning.”
What Does “High Functioning Autism” Mean?
“High functioning autism” is an informal phrase. It has often been used to describe people with autism who do not have an intellectual disability and who communicate using spoken language. It was once closely linked with Asperger’s syndrome. Learn more in our guide to the difference between autism and Asperger’s.
Clinicians no longer use “high functioning autism” or Asperger’s as formal diagnoses. Today, autism is diagnosed as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 describes autism in terms of support levels:
- Level 1: requiring support
- Level 2: requiring substantial support
- Level 3: requiring very substantial support
When people ask about high functioning autism, they usually mean children or adults at Level 1, or those whose support needs are harder to see. You can read more about how these levels work in What Are the Types of Autism?
At BlueSprig, we focus on each child’s unique strengths and support needs rather than functioning labels. A child who seems to be doing well in one setting may need a lot of support in another. We explain why in High Functioning vs Low Functioning Autism: Why We’ve Moved On.
How Many People Have High Functioning Autism?
Because it is not recorded as a separate diagnosis, no one tracks exactly how many people have high functioning autism. But the CDC’s latest data gives us a helpful picture.
| Group | What the research shows |
|---|---|
| Children with autism in the US (age 8) | About 1 in 31, or 3.2% (CDC, 2022 data) |
| Children with autism who also have an intellectual disability | About 4 in 10 (39.6% of children with available records) |
| Children with autism without an intellectual disability | About 6 in 10 |
| Boys vs. girls | Autism was 3.4 times more common in boys (about 1 in 20 boys and 1 in 70 girls) |
| Adults with autism in the US | An estimated 2.21%, or about 5.4 million adults (CDC estimate, 2017) |
| Children with autism worldwide | About 1 in 100 (World Health Organization) |
Sources: CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, 2025; CDC estimate of adults living with ASD; World Health Organization autism fact sheet.
Putting the CDC figures together, roughly 2 in every 100 eight-year-olds in the areas studied have autism without an intellectual disability. This is a rough estimate, not an official number. Keep a few things in mind:
- The CDC studies 16 communities, not the whole country.
- Information on intellectual ability was not available for every child in the study.
- Not having an intellectual disability is not the same as needing little support. A child can have strong language skills and still need a lot of help with daily routines, social skills, or sensory needs.
- The true number is likely higher, because many people are identified later in life or not at all.
How Many People Have Autism? A Look at the Trend
If you had asked how many people have autism 25 years ago, you would have gotten a very different answer. The CDC began tracking autism among 8-year-olds in 2000. Here is how its estimates have changed:
| Year of data | Children identified with autism |
|---|---|
| 2000 | About 1 in 150 |
| 2008 | About 1 in 88 |
| 2014 | About 1 in 59 |
| 2016 | About 1 in 54 |
| 2018 | About 1 in 44 |
| 2020 | About 1 in 36 |
| 2022 | About 1 in 31 |
Sources: CDC, 2007; CDC, 2012; CDC, 2018; CDC, 2021; CDC, 2025.
Why the Numbers Keep Changing
A rising number does not necessarily mean more children are developing autism. It is more likely a sign that we are getting better at recognizing it. Reasons include:
- Broader diagnostic criteria. Autism was first added to the DSM in 1980. In 2013, the DSM-5 brought Asperger’s syndrome and related diagnoses together under one diagnosis: autism spectrum disorder.
- Greater awareness among parents, teachers, and doctors about what autism can look like.
- Earlier identification. The CDC found that children born in 2018 were more likely to be identified by age 4 than children born in 2014.
- Less stigma, which encourages more families to seek an evaluation.
For a deeper look, read If There Is No Autism Epidemic, Why Do the Statistics Keep Climbing?
Who Is Often Missed?
Many people with autism go years without a diagnosis, especially those whose support needs are less visible. This is often true for:
- Girls and women, who may “mask” their traits by copying peers. Autism can also look different in girls than in boys. Learn more about autism presentation and diagnosis in boys vs. girls.
- Adults, especially those who grew up before autism was widely understood. Read how autism is diagnosed in adults.
- Families from diverse cultural and language backgrounds, who may face barriers to getting an evaluation.
- Children with strong academic skills, whose challenges with social communication or sensory processing can be overlooked.
If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Our guide to how common undiagnosed autism is explains more. A later diagnosis can still open the door to meaningful support.
What the Numbers Mean for Your Family
Statistics can feel abstract, but here is the reassuring takeaway: autism is common. With about 1 in 31 children identified, a classroom of 30 students may include one child with autism. You are part of a large and growing community of parents and caregivers.
The numbers also show why early support matters. According to the CDC, the typical child with autism was diagnosed at just under 4 years old. Signs of autism can show up much earlier. If you have noticed differences in how your child communicates, plays, or responds to others, our guide to recognizing early signs of autism in children can help.
Evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, built around your child’s individual strengths and needs, can help children build communication, social, and daily living skills. Our early intervention ABA therapy is designed for young children, starting with our Sprouts program for ages 0 to 4.
Moving From Numbers to Next Steps
Knowing how many people have high functioning autism is a helpful starting point. But the most important number is the one child in front of you. Every child with autism is unique, with their own strengths, interests, and areas where they may need support.
If you think your child might benefit from an evaluation or ABA therapy, here are some next steps:
- Talk with your pediatrician about what you have noticed and any questions you have.
- Ask for a diagnostic evaluation from a qualified professional, such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, or neurologist. Learn more about who can diagnose autism.
- Fill out our form to get started with BlueSprig. A Care Coordinator will follow up to answer your questions and schedule an assessment. See how to get started with ABA therapy.
- Lean on your community. Parent groups and local networks can be a great source of support and encouragement.
At BlueSprig, our credentialed clinicians create individualized treatment plans for each child. Care is led by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and delivered primarily in our ABA therapy centers, with home, school, community, and virtual services available at select locations. Center-based care can be an especially good fit for many young children, as we explain in Why Center-Based ABA Can Be a Powerful Fit for Young Children with Level 1 or 2 Autism. We accept most major commercial insurance plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is high functioning autism an official diagnosis?
No. “High functioning autism” is an informal phrase. Today, clinicians diagnose autism spectrum disorder and describe a person’s support needs as Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.
What percentage of people with autism have high functioning autism?
There is no exact percentage because the term is not a diagnosis. In the CDC’s latest data, about 6 in 10 children with autism did not have an intellectual disability, which is the group often described as “high functioning.”
Is high functioning autism the same as Asperger’s?
The two terms were often used in similar ways. Since 2013, Asperger’s syndrome is no longer a separate diagnosis. It is now part of autism spectrum disorder.
Can a child with Level 1 autism benefit from ABA therapy?
Yes. Children with Level 1 autism may still need support with social skills, communication, routines, or managing big emotions. ABA therapy is individualized, so each treatment plan is built around your child’s specific goals.
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You do not have to figure this out alone. Our team is here to support your family every step of the way.