According to state data, the California Department of Developmental Services as of December 2014 exceeds 75,000 cases of substantially disabling autism, a 2,500% increase over rates in the early 1980s. The is the strict definition used in the DDS system and does not include the broader spectrum of higher functioning individuals. Here we chart the growth over time, with notations from DDS official reports:
DDS data also indicate the state is nearing 5,000 DDS-eligible autism births per year, in other words, more than 13 autism births per day. These are developmentally disabled individuals with substantial functional limitations who are expected to need lifelong support. The system is completely unprepared to meet the lifespan needs of such a massive population of very significantly disabled persons, and the autism surge continues, unabated.
Note: The slight drop-off in the 2008 birth cohort is likely due to a usual delay in cases entering the system.
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