15 States with the Lowest Rates of Autism in the US

Today, there are many states and countries where the autism rate is significantly growing from day to day, but do you know what are the states with the lowest rates of autism in the US?

Now before we begin, we should explain what kind of disorder is autism. As perfectly defined on Autism Speaks, “Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.” First signs of autism disorder can usually be spotted in children that are at the age of one to three. Children and later adults that are affected by autism are having a lot of difficulties in their life starting from difficulties in communicating and forming relationships with people.

Early recognized autism in a child could help it adjust to the society and fit better. When it comes to recognizing, there are some symptoms you cannot neglect and if you notice some of them you should immediately contact a doctor. For instance, children or adults with autism have problems communicating like we mentioned above, they have sleep dysfunction, social challenges, problems understanding other people’s feelings, obsessions and pica (eating disorder). Pica is a tendency to eat things that are not food like dirt, chalk or clay. Now, this is often normal when we are talking about small children but it isn’t when we are talking about adults.

According to Autism Society organization, back in 2014, about 1% of the world population was affected by autism and in the same year, 3.5 million Americans were living with this mental condition. However, the prevalence of this disorder is increasing by 6-15% every year and it costs the United States $236-262 billion each year.

When we are talking about the prevalence of autism in the United States, if you are interested, you can also see what are the States With the Highest Rates of Autism in America. Or, if you are interested to see on a world level what countries are the least affected by autism, we recommend you to take a look at our list of 12 Developed Countries with Lowest Autism Rates.

While we were creating our list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US, we used Los Angeles Times as our source to see what are the states with the lowest autism rates in America. Keep in mind that the research was made on children between 6 and 17 years old. After we collected the information from our source, we sorted our list by autism rates starting from the state with the highest to the state with the lowest autism rate. Even though these are the states with least people affected by this disorder, they are still helping in raising awareness and providing those who are already affected with the best and the most professional help. We included organizations and autism therapists for each state. In order to achieve that, we used Psychology Today Therapists as our source. 

15. Idaho

Rate: 0.60%

When we are talking about autism, there are states that are very affected and states where the number of affected people is low. Idaho has one of the lowest rates but it still offers a lot of organizations and professional doctors that can help those who are affected by it to adjust in the society better. Among the most popular organizations is Idaho Autism that is offering many support groups and many doctors that can help you feel better. Despite this organization, you can also seek help from one of the best autism therapists in Idaho.

14. Delaware

Rate: 0.50%

At number 14 on our list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US we have Delaware that is another state that has low autism rates, but it is still offering professional help to those that are affected by this disease. There are many autism therapists in Delaware and their primary goal is to make those who are suffering from it to feel better. If you or someone close to you is affected by autism, you can ask for help by turning to Autism Delaware organization or Autism Speaks in Delaware. By seeking a professional help, you will get the chance to feel better and find your place in the society more easily.

13. West Virginia

Rate: 0.50%

Living with autism is very hard but it is just as hard to live with someone very close to you that is affected by this disorder. In West Virginia, even though the number of autism rates is pretty low, there are still people affected by it and in order to help them feel better, there are many organizations dedicated to making them happier and better. One of them is Autism Speaks, this organization is very popular because it is spread across America in every state and its goal is to help as many people as they can. If you are affected by autism, or you have someone close to you who is, you can ask for their help or you can turn to one of the autism therapists.

12. Kentucky

Rate: 0.50%

If one state has low autism rates, that doesn’t mean that the minority of people who are affected by autism don’t need help. In Kentucky, the autism rate is pretty low but they still have many different organizations like Autism Speaks, Kentucky Autism Training Center at the University of Louisville and Kentucky Autism Services and Support for those who are suffering from autism to give them help and to provide their family with support. Also, there are many great autism therapists that will give you the best and the most professional help you need. Now, let’s see what else we have on our list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US.

11. Alabama

Rate: 0.50%

Even though the autism rate in Alabama is low, there are many organizations and great autism therapists that will help the minority that is suffering from it to feel better. Regardless of the number of affected people, organizations like Autism Society of Alabama and Autism Speaks are dedicated to helping affected people by this disorder to feel better and offer their support to their family members.

10. South Carolina

Rate: 0.40%

When we are talking about states with the lowest autism rates in America, you should know that South Carolina is one of them. However, just like any other state, South Carolina is working hard to decrease the number of people with autism by offering support and help to those already affected and by spreading awareness. There are different organizations like Autism Speaks, South Carolina Autism Society, Autism Academy of South Carolina and many autism therapists in South Carolina and they are working tirelessly to decrease the rate.

9. Mississippi

Rate: 0.40%

We are continuing our list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US with Mississippi that is also among the states with the lowest rates of autism but it can be proud of the support and the help it is providing to people and families that are already affected. In Mississippi, there are many autism therapists that will give you the most professional help and many organizations like Autism Speaks, Mississippi Centers for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities and Mississippi State Department of Health – Autism, which are dedicated to spreading awareness of this disorder and helping the children and adults that are already living with it.

8. Louisiana

Rate: 0.40%

Louisiana is one of the states with the lowest rates of autism in the US but it is still providing children as well as older people who have this disorder with professional help. As you already know, Autism Speaks is an organization that is spread around in every state with a single goal, to help raise autism awareness and those who are affected by it. If you need help, you can contact them or you can contact Autism Society Louisiana, or, you can even turn to one of the greatest autism therapists in Louisiana.

7. Oklahoma

Rate: 0.40%

Raising awareness isn’t easy and it should be done in every state and every country in the world, not only in those that are affected the most. Oklahoma, the next one on the list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US is a great example because it has a pretty low autism rate and it is still working tirelessly to raise awareness and help those already affected regardless of their number. There are many great autism therapists as well as organizations like Autism Speaks, Oklahoma Autism Network, Autism Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Autism Center for Applied Research and Training.

6. Kansas

Rate: 0.40%

If you or someone from your family or a close friend is affected by autism, you can turn to one of the many organizations or autism therapists which will help you in the fastest and most professional way. As you already know, Autism Speaks is open for help in Kansas just like in every state. You can contact The Kansas Center For Autism Research & Training, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services or Autism Society.

5. South Dakota

Rate: 0.40%

This state is one with the lowest autism rates in America and it is still working on and on in order to help those who are affected by autism. There are many autism therapists whose main goal is to help you feel better and provide your family with support. But, despite autism therapists, there are many organizations like Autism Society that is dedicated to improving the lives of all autistic people and Autism Speaks organization with the exact same goal.

4. New Mexico

Rate: 0.40%

Did you know that one of the states with the lowest autism rates in the United States is New Mexico that ranks 4th on our list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US? Even though it is one of the states with the lowest rates, it still has many organizations and autism therapists to help the people and families that are already affected by this disorder. When it comes to organizations, among the most popular are Autism Speaks, New Mexico Autism Society and UNM Center for Development and Disability.

3. Colorado

Rate: 0.40%

We are slowly reaching the top of our list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US and when we are in the third place we shall talk about where you can get the best and most professional help for autism in Colorado. Colorado is one of the states that has the lowest autism rate but, it still has many organizations like Autism Society of Colorado, Autism Speaks, Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment as well as many autism therapists that will provide people who are affected with this disorder with the best help.

2. Montana

Rate: 0.40%

Judging by the autism rate, Montana that ranks 2nd on the list of states with the lowest rates of autism in the US is affected by autism just like Colorado. Also, there are organizations like Montana DDP Autism Information where you can inform yourself and help raise awareness about this disease, Autism Speaks, Montana Autism Center, and many professional autism therapists that will help you feel better and give your family the needed support. If you live in this state and you ever need help, you can always contact one of these organizations or therapists and they will give you the needed care and help.

1. Iowa

Rate: 0.10%

On top of our list as the state with the lowest rate of autism in the US is Iowa. Compared to previously listed Montana, the rate in Iowa is significantly lower, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t spreading awareness and helping the little number of people that are affected. In Iowa, there are great and experienced autism therapists who dedicated their lives to help autistic people. Also, there are many organizations who are existing in order to help people who are suffering from autism and to offer support to their closest. Among the most popular organizations are Autism Society and Autism Speaks.