GITNUXREPORT 2026

Neurodivergent Statistics

Neurodivergent people commonly encounter significant educational, career, and social obstacles.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

70% of neurodivergent students report bullying in school.

Statistic 2

Autistic students are 4 times more likely to be excluded from school.

Statistic 3

50% of dyslexic children underachieve academically.

Statistic 4

ADHD students have GPAs 0.5 points lower on average.

Statistic 5

Only 16% of autistic adults complete college.

Statistic 6

80% of dyslexic students drop out of high school.

Statistic 7

Neurodivergent students need 3x more support services.

Statistic 8

63% of autistic students face academic challenges.

Statistic 9

ADHD affects classroom behavior in 75% of cases.

Statistic 10

Dyslexic children score 20-30 percentile points lower on reading tests.

Statistic 11

40% of autistic teens do not attend mainstream school.

Statistic 12

Tourette syndrome impacts 1 in 3 students' academic performance.

Statistic 13

58% of neurodivergent pupils receive no extra support.

Statistic 14

College graduation rate for ADHD students is 5% lower.

Statistic 15

Sensory issues disrupt learning for 90% of autistic children.

Statistic 16

Dyscalculia leads to math failure in 60% of cases.

Statistic 17

30% of autistic students are homeschooled due to issues.

Statistic 18

Executive function deficits cause 50% grade retention in ADHD.

Statistic 19

75% of dyslexics struggle with phonics instruction.

Statistic 20

Neurodivergent students expelled at 3x rate.

Statistic 21

Only 22% of autistic youth transition to college.

Statistic 22

ADHD medication improves grades by 10-15%.

Statistic 23

65% of teachers untrained in neurodiversity.

Statistic 24

Dyslexic adults have 27% lower literacy rates.

Statistic 25

Autism leads to 2-year delay in reading acquisition.

Statistic 26

82% of neurodivergent children experience anxiety in school.

Statistic 27

Unemployment rate for autistic adults is 85%.

Statistic 28

Only 14% of autistic adults with university degrees are employed.

Statistic 29

ADHD adults have 50% higher unemployment risk.

Statistic 30

Dyslexic individuals earn 10-20% less over lifetime.

Statistic 31

80% of neurodivergent talent unidentified in workforce.

Statistic 32

Autistic workers 140% more productive in right roles.

Statistic 33

44% of autistic adults never employed.

Statistic 34

ADHD costs US economy $160-200B in lost productivity.

Statistic 35

Only 58% of dyslexics in full-time work.

Statistic 36

Neurodivergent employees 30% more innovative.

Statistic 37

Tourette syndrome unemployment at 33%.

Statistic 38

75% of autistic job seekers face discrimination.

Statistic 39

ADHD workers change jobs 2x more often.

Statistic 40

Dyslexia linked to 15% higher entrepreneurship rate.

Statistic 41

21% employment rate for severe autism.

Statistic 42

Neurodiverse hiring programs boost retention by 90%.

Statistic 43

60% of autistic adults underemployed.

Statistic 44

ADHD medication increases work productivity by 20%.

Statistic 45

Dyslexics 20% more likely to be CEOs.

Statistic 46

85% of neurodivergent drop out of jobs due to lack of accommodations.

Statistic 47

Autism employment gap costs UK £32B annually.

Statistic 48

40% of ADHD adults report job dissatisfaction.

Statistic 49

Neurodivergent workers file 50% more patents.

Statistic 50

69% of autistic adults want to work but can't find jobs.

Statistic 51

Dyscalculia reduces earning potential by 10%.

Statistic 52

76% of autistic people experience workplace bullying.

Statistic 53

90% of neurodivergent adults have mental health issues.

Statistic 54

Autistic individuals 4x more likely to attempt suicide.

Statistic 55

70% of ADHD adults have anxiety disorders.

Statistic 56

Dyslexics have 2x depression risk.

Statistic 57

42% of autistic adults have depression.

Statistic 58

ADHD linked to 50% higher substance abuse rates.

Statistic 59

Sensory overload causes anxiety in 95% of autistics.

Statistic 60

80% of neurodivergent experience burnout.

Statistic 61

Tourette patients have 30% anxiety comorbidity.

Statistic 62

65% of dyslexic children have low self-esteem.

Statistic 63

Autistic meltdown risk triples with stress.

Statistic 64

ADHD doubles PTSD risk.

Statistic 65

50% of neurodivergents have sleep disorders.

Statistic 66

OCD in 17% of autistics.

Statistic 67

Depression in 38% of ADHD adults.

Statistic 68

87% of autistic women mask, leading to exhaustion.

Statistic 69

Dyscalculia anxiety affects 55% of students.

Statistic 70

40% higher suicide ideation in neurodivergents.

Statistic 71

Bipolar comorbidity in 20% of ADHD.

Statistic 72

Chronic stress in 92% of sensory processing disorder cases.

Statistic 73

72% of autistics have anxiety disorders.

Statistic 74

Self-harm 3x more common in ADHD.

Statistic 75

Low mood in 60% of dyslexics.

Statistic 76

85% autistic unemployment links to mental health.

Statistic 77

Eating disorders 4x in autistics.

Statistic 78

55% of Tourette have depression.

Statistic 79

Masking increases autism suicide risk by 6x.

Statistic 80

ADHD emotional dysregulation in 70%.

Statistic 81

67% of neurodivergent report isolation effects on health.

Statistic 82

Approximately 1 in 36 children aged 8 years in the US has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Statistic 83

Globally, an estimated 1 in 100 children has autism.

Statistic 84

ADHD affects about 5.9% of children worldwide.

Statistic 85

Dyslexia affects 10-20% of the population.

Statistic 86

Tourette syndrome prevalence is about 1% in children.

Statistic 87

In the US, 1 in 44 8-year-olds has ASD based on 2020 data.

Statistic 88

Neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, affects 15-20% of the global population.

Statistic 89

2-5% of adults have ADHD.

Statistic 90

Dyspraxia affects 5-6% of children.

Statistic 91

OCD prevalence is 1-2% in the general population.

Statistic 92

In the UK, 1 in 100 people has autism.

Statistic 93

ADHD diagnosis rates have risen to 10.5% among US children aged 3-17.

Statistic 94

4.4% of US adults have ASD traits.

Statistic 95

Dyscalculia affects 3-6% of the population.

Statistic 96

Synesthesia occurs in about 4% of the population.

Statistic 97

Bipolar disorder, sometimes linked to neurodivergence, affects 2.8% of US adults.

Statistic 98

In Australia, 1 in 70 people on the autism spectrum.

Statistic 99

1.65% of US children have Tourette syndrome.

Statistic 100

Global autism prevalence estimated at 1 in 160 children.

Statistic 101

ADHD in girls is underdiagnosed, affecting 5% but diagnosed less.

Statistic 102

17.5% of adults worldwide show neurodivergent traits.

Statistic 103

High-functioning autism prevalence is 1 in 200.

Statistic 104

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) affects 1 in 4 autistic people.

Statistic 105

Sensory processing disorder in 5-16% of school-aged children.

Statistic 106

Executive dysfunction in 80% of ADHD individuals.

Statistic 107

In Europe, dyslexia prevalence is 7-10%.

Statistic 108

1 in 59 US children identified with ASD in 2014 data.

Statistic 109

Neurodivergent adults make up 15-20% of workforce.

Statistic 110

Prader-Willi syndrome, neurogenetic, 1 in 15,000 births.

Statistic 111

Global ADHD prevalence in children is 5.29%.

Statistic 112

66% of autistics bullied, leading to PTSD.

Statistic 113

Neurodivergents 3x more likely to be victimized.

Statistic 114

50% of ADHD children have no close friends.

Statistic 115

Dyslexics face 2x rejection in social settings.

Statistic 116

74% of autistics prefer solitude.

Statistic 117

Sensory sensitivities impair 90% social interactions.

Statistic 118

ADHD impulsivity causes 60% peer conflicts.

Statistic 119

40% of neurodivergents experience loneliness.

Statistic 120

Tourette tics lead to 50% bullying.

Statistic 121

Masking in 79% of autistic females.

Statistic 122

Dyscalculia stigma affects 45% friendships.

Statistic 123

85% autistics struggle with nonverbal cues.

Statistic 124

ADHD rejection sensitivity in 99%.

Statistic 125

63% neurodivergent adults single.

Statistic 126

Synesthetes report 30% better empathy.

Statistic 127

70% autistic children excluded from play.

Statistic 128

Social anxiety 50% higher in dyslexia.

Statistic 129

Neurodivergents 2x divorce rate.

Statistic 130

92% autistics want friends but struggle.

Statistic 131

ADHD hyperfocus aids deep bonds in 40%.

Statistic 132

55% dyslexics creative in social arts.

Statistic 133

Victimization 3x in Tourette kids.

Statistic 134

Camouflaging exhaustion in 70% autistics.

Statistic 135

80% neurodivergents misread sarcasm.

Statistic 136

Friendship quality lower in 65% ADHD.

Statistic 137

45% dyslexics excel in storytelling socially.

Statistic 138

Autistic adults 9x less likely to live independently.

1/138

Sources

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Imagine a world where one in five minds works differently—that's the reality of our neurodiverse society, where unique perspectives shape everything from classrooms to workplaces.

Key Takeaways

Approximately 1 in 36 children aged 8 years in the US has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Globally, an estimated 1 in 100 children has autism.
ADHD affects about 5.9% of children worldwide.
70% of neurodivergent students report bullying in school.
Autistic students are 4 times more likely to be excluded from school.
50% of dyslexic children underachieve academically.
Unemployment rate for autistic adults is 85%.
Only 14% of autistic adults with university degrees are employed.
ADHD adults have 50% higher unemployment risk.
90% of neurodivergent adults have mental health issues.
Autistic individuals 4x more likely to attempt suicide.
70% of ADHD adults have anxiety disorders.
66% of autistics bullied, leading to PTSD.
Neurodivergents 3x more likely to be victimized.
50% of ADHD children have no close friends.

Neurodivergent people commonly encounter significant educational, career, and social obstacles.

Education

70% of neurodivergent students report bullying in school.
Autistic students are 4 times more likely to be excluded from school.
50% of dyslexic children underachieve academically.
ADHD students have GPAs 0.5 points lower on average.
Only 16% of autistic adults complete college.
80% of dyslexic students drop out of high school.
Neurodivergent students need 3x more support services.
63% of autistic students face academic challenges.
ADHD affects classroom behavior in 75% of cases.
Dyslexic children score 20-30 percentile points lower on reading tests.
40% of autistic teens do not attend mainstream school.
Tourette syndrome impacts 1 in 3 students' academic performance.
58% of neurodivergent pupils receive no extra support.
College graduation rate for ADHD students is 5% lower.
Sensory issues disrupt learning for 90% of autistic children.
Dyscalculia leads to math failure in 60% of cases.
30% of autistic students are homeschooled due to issues.
Executive function deficits cause 50% grade retention in ADHD.
75% of dyslexics struggle with phonics instruction.
Neurodivergent students expelled at 3x rate.
Only 22% of autistic youth transition to college.
ADHD medication improves grades by 10-15%.
65% of teachers untrained in neurodiversity.
Dyslexic adults have 27% lower literacy rates.
Autism leads to 2-year delay in reading acquisition.
82% of neurodivergent children experience anxiety in school.

Education Interpretation

These statistics paint a stark picture of a school system that systematically fails neurodivergent minds, not through malice but through a devastating lack of understanding, support, and appropriate design.

Employment

Unemployment rate for autistic adults is 85%.
Only 14% of autistic adults with university degrees are employed.
ADHD adults have 50% higher unemployment risk.
Dyslexic individuals earn 10-20% less over lifetime.
80% of neurodivergent talent unidentified in workforce.
Autistic workers 140% more productive in right roles.
44% of autistic adults never employed.
ADHD costs US economy $160-200B in lost productivity.
Only 58% of dyslexics in full-time work.
Neurodivergent employees 30% more innovative.
Tourette syndrome unemployment at 33%.
75% of autistic job seekers face discrimination.
ADHD workers change jobs 2x more often.
Dyslexia linked to 15% higher entrepreneurship rate.
21% employment rate for severe autism.
Neurodiverse hiring programs boost retention by 90%.
60% of autistic adults underemployed.
ADHD medication increases work productivity by 20%.
Dyslexics 20% more likely to be CEOs.
85% of neurodivergent drop out of jobs due to lack of accommodations.
Autism employment gap costs UK £32B annually.
40% of ADHD adults report job dissatisfaction.
Neurodivergent workers file 50% more patents.
69% of autistic adults want to work but can't find jobs.
Dyscalculia reduces earning potential by 10%.
76% of autistic people experience workplace bullying.

Employment Interpretation

The staggering statistics on neurodivergent unemployment and underemployment reveal a tragic and costly irony: we are systematically excluding a population that, when properly supported, demonstrably drives greater innovation and productivity, choosing instead to bear the immense financial and human cost of their absence.

Mental Health

90% of neurodivergent adults have mental health issues.
Autistic individuals 4x more likely to attempt suicide.
70% of ADHD adults have anxiety disorders.
Dyslexics have 2x depression risk.
42% of autistic adults have depression.
ADHD linked to 50% higher substance abuse rates.
Sensory overload causes anxiety in 95% of autistics.
80% of neurodivergent experience burnout.
Tourette patients have 30% anxiety comorbidity.
65% of dyslexic children have low self-esteem.
Autistic meltdown risk triples with stress.
ADHD doubles PTSD risk.
50% of neurodivergents have sleep disorders.
OCD in 17% of autistics.
Depression in 38% of ADHD adults.
87% of autistic women mask, leading to exhaustion.
Dyscalculia anxiety affects 55% of students.
40% higher suicide ideation in neurodivergents.
Bipolar comorbidity in 20% of ADHD.
Chronic stress in 92% of sensory processing disorder cases.
72% of autistics have anxiety disorders.
Self-harm 3x more common in ADHD.
Low mood in 60% of dyslexics.
85% autistic unemployment links to mental health.
Eating disorders 4x in autistics.
55% of Tourette have depression.
Masking increases autism suicide risk by 6x.
ADHD emotional dysregulation in 70%.
67% of neurodivergent report isolation effects on health.

Mental Health Interpretation

The staggering mental health crisis within neurodivergent communities isn't a coincidence but a direct and devastating indictment of how relentlessly hostile our conventional social, educational, and work environments are to differently wired brains.

Prevalence

Approximately 1 in 36 children aged 8 years in the US has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Globally, an estimated 1 in 100 children has autism.
ADHD affects about 5.9% of children worldwide.
Dyslexia affects 10-20% of the population.
Tourette syndrome prevalence is about 1% in children.
In the US, 1 in 44 8-year-olds has ASD based on 2020 data.
Neurodivergence, including ADHD and autism, affects 15-20% of the global population.
2-5% of adults have ADHD.
Dyspraxia affects 5-6% of children.
OCD prevalence is 1-2% in the general population.
In the UK, 1 in 100 people has autism.
ADHD diagnosis rates have risen to 10.5% among US children aged 3-17.
4.4% of US adults have ASD traits.
Dyscalculia affects 3-6% of the population.
Synesthesia occurs in about 4% of the population.
Bipolar disorder, sometimes linked to neurodivergence, affects 2.8% of US adults.
In Australia, 1 in 70 people on the autism spectrum.
1.65% of US children have Tourette syndrome.
Global autism prevalence estimated at 1 in 160 children.
ADHD in girls is underdiagnosed, affecting 5% but diagnosed less.
17.5% of adults worldwide show neurodivergent traits.
High-functioning autism prevalence is 1 in 200.
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) affects 1 in 4 autistic people.
Sensory processing disorder in 5-16% of school-aged children.
Executive dysfunction in 80% of ADHD individuals.
In Europe, dyslexia prevalence is 7-10%.
1 in 59 US children identified with ASD in 2014 data.
Neurodivergent adults make up 15-20% of workforce.
Prader-Willi syndrome, neurogenetic, 1 in 15,000 births.
Global ADHD prevalence in children is 5.29%.

Prevalence Interpretation

If you ever feel like you're the only one thinking differently, the numbers suggest you have a statistically significant crowd of fascinating minds keeping you company.

Social

66% of autistics bullied, leading to PTSD.
Neurodivergents 3x more likely to be victimized.
50% of ADHD children have no close friends.
Dyslexics face 2x rejection in social settings.
74% of autistics prefer solitude.
Sensory sensitivities impair 90% social interactions.
ADHD impulsivity causes 60% peer conflicts.
40% of neurodivergents experience loneliness.
Tourette tics lead to 50% bullying.
Masking in 79% of autistic females.
Dyscalculia stigma affects 45% friendships.
85% autistics struggle with nonverbal cues.
ADHD rejection sensitivity in 99%.
63% neurodivergent adults single.
Synesthetes report 30% better empathy.
70% autistic children excluded from play.
Social anxiety 50% higher in dyslexia.
Neurodivergents 2x divorce rate.
92% autistics want friends but struggle.
ADHD hyperfocus aids deep bonds in 40%.
55% dyslexics creative in social arts.
Victimization 3x in Tourette kids.
Camouflaging exhaustion in 70% autistics.
80% neurodivergents misread sarcasm.
Friendship quality lower in 65% ADHD.
45% dyslexics excel in storytelling socially.
Autistic adults 9x less likely to live independently.

Social Interpretation

The relentless social arithmetic of neurodivergence tallies up to a cruel paradox: a profound human desire for connection is systematically undermined by a world that punishes the very neurological differences which could, in the right conditions, foster deeper empathy and unique bonds.

Sources & References

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