Recent headlines and casual conversations have echoed a remarkable observation: “Everyone seems to have autism these days.” At first glance, the increasing numbers of autism diagnoses — with one study reporting a 787% rise between 1998 and 2018 — might suggest a sudden surge in neurodivergence among both children and adults. However, new research and expert commentary reveal a far more nuanced story, one that is reshaping both medical practice and public perceptions in Thailand and beyond.
The growing visibility of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not evidence of an epidemic but the long-overdue correction of decades of diagnostic oversight. For many years, official criteria for autism were narrowly tailored, capturing primarily the most obvious cases, commonly in boys who exhibited classic autistic behaviors. This left vast numbers of individuals — especially women, adults, and those whose symptoms diverged from the textbook — undiagnosed and often struggling in silence. For example, stories like that shared by one parent in the UK, published in a reflective essay in the Huffington Post (huffingtonpost.co.uk), highlight adults receiving their first autism diagnosis in their 30s or 50s after years of masking and misunderstanding.
World Health Organization statistics estimate that about 1 in 100 children worldwide are currently diagnosed with autism (WHO), with some countries reporting even higher rates. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that roughly 1 in 31 children aged eight have been diagnosed as of 2025 (CDC), a figure that stands in stark contrast to the far lower prevalence rates reported only a generation ago. Moreover, studies cited in major news outlets indicate that autism diagnosis rates have tripled for children in the last decade, rising from about 2.3 per 1,000 in 2011 to 6.3 per 1,000 in 2022 (MSN), (USA Today). This trend, mirrored globally, is often ascribed less to new cases emerging and more to an expanding understanding of autism’s many presentations.
In Thailand, this burgeoning awareness is coupled with major developments in both research and diagnostic practice. A study published in April 2024 concluded that the Thai Diagnostic Autism Scale (TDAS), a tool developed specifically for use with Thai children aged one to five years, offers a cost-effective, locally appropriate approach to increasing early autism detection (PMC). Meanwhile, researchers have observed that the number of diagnosed ASD cases in Thailand has been steadily rising, aligning with global patterns that point toward better identification and accommodation for neurodivergent individuals (Wiley Online Library). Despite this progress, epidemiological studies on ASD in Thailand remain less frequent than in Western countries, prompting calls from Thai medical and educational professionals for increased research funding and public awareness efforts (JMATonline).
The stories behind these numbers are deeply personal. In the UK, an adult named Sarah received her autism diagnosis at age 37 — a journey of self-discovery that recontextualized childhood traits once dismissed as “sensitivity” or “organizational skill.” In Thailand, similar anecdotes are increasingly surfacing as more adults reflect on their social experiences and seek professional assessments. Thai educators and health professionals note that women and girls are still more likely than boys to go undiagnosed for years due to gendered stereotypes and the cultural expectation to adapt or “mask” atypical behaviors, an issue highlighted in a 2024 review of ASD in Asian contexts (DovePress).
Expert opinions underscore that increasing rates do not represent over-diagnosis or medicalization, but rather the growing capability to recognize true cases of ASD. A recent commentary in the journal Pediatrics notes that the expansion of the autism spectrum allows for greater inclusivity, enabling more people to receive tailored support and freeing them from decades of unnecessary stigma (Cleveland19). Locally, Thai psychiatrists and researchers argue that a meaningful diagnosis provides access to resources and understanding, not just labels. “The main concern,” notes one specialist at a leading Bangkok hospital, “should be whether individuals and families can access appropriate interventions and support, not whether the numbers are too high.”
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Education have responded to this trend by expanding teacher training, promoting early screening programs, and implementing curricula that better accommodate neurodiverse learners. Yet some challenges persist. Many Thai families, especially in rural areas, still lack awareness or acceptance of autism, often turning instead to non-medical explanations or viewing behavioral differences through a moral lens. Language and cultural barriers can also make diagnostic tools developed in Western contexts less effective for Thai children, underscoring the importance of culturally adapted assessments like the TDAS.
International comparisons reveal that as stigma decreases and public health efforts multiply, reported prevalence rates have increased universally. Global statistics compiled by the World Population Review indicate considerable variation by country, shaped by differences in diagnostic criteria, healthcare access, and social acceptance (World Population Review). For instance, while France and Portugal report relatively low rates (about 1 in 144 people), countries like the United States and South Korea report figures far above the global average, a gap that experts attribute primarily to differing levels of diagnostic vigilance and reporting, not actual underlying prevalence.
Crucially, this surge in visibility has empowered countless individuals who previously lacked the language or framework to understand their experiences. Today, more Thais — particularly in urban centers like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Khon Kaen — are coming forward for evaluation, support, and community. Support groups and advocacy organizations, often staffed by family members and educators, are helping to shift attitudes and provide resources that were virtually nonexistent just a decade ago.
Culture, too, is a defining factor in how ASD is perceived and addressed in Thailand. Traditional Thai values emphasizing social harmony and familial duty sometimes lead to a reluctance to seek formal diagnoses, for fear of bringing shame or burden to the family. However, younger generations — especially those exposed to global media and advocacy — are challenging these taboos in search of understanding and inclusion. Public campaigns and popular culture references have also helped to normalize conversations around autism, leading to more proactive engagement at both community and national levels.
Looking to the future, experts project that autism diagnosis rates will continue to rise in Thailand, at least in the short term, as existing cases that were previously missed are identified and new cases benefit from early screening. Thailand’s healthcare sector is investing in additional research and professional training, with universities establishing specialized ASD research centers and hospitals piloting inclusive care models. Policymakers are discussing the integration of neurodiversity perspectives into the national education curriculum, following trends seen in countries such as Australia and the UK.
Nevertheless, experts caution against viewing these statistics through a lens of crisis. As one autism researcher from a prominent Thai university explains, “What we’re witnessing is not an epidemic of autism but the triumph of knowledge over misunderstanding. Each diagnosis is not a new case but a person who now has access to the understanding, support, and community they always needed.”
For Thai readers, there are several practical takeaways from this evolving story. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to learn about autism’s varied presentations, especially the differences between girls and boys, and to seek out professional assessments when concerns arise. Teachers and school administrators can access new Ministry of Education training modules on inclusive practices. Community leaders are invited to foster acceptance and reduce stigma through public education campaigns and supportive environments. Above all, families and individuals affected by ASD are reminded that increased diagnosis reflects not a problem, but the promise of acceptance and accommodation.
For more information, readers can consult the Ministry of Public Health’s resources on developmental disorders (moph.go.th), local advocacy groups, and the latest research translations available through leading Thai hospitals and universities. The correction of historic diagnostic gaps is a cause for celebration, not alarm — every new diagnosis is a step toward a more just and inclusive society.