Neurodivergence Among ASA Members: Results of a Survey and Implications

A 2024 YouGov survey found that diagnosis or self-identification as neurodivergent among adults in the United States was approximately 19%, and that prevalence rates are substantially higher in younger age cohorts. Evidence from work on autism prevalence among mathematicians, computer scientists, and physical scientists indicates that the prevalence of neurodiversity rates among individuals in these fields is higher than in the general population. However, no empirical data are known to exist about rates of neurodivergence among statisticians, data scientists, and those in related fields. With the cooperation of the American Statistical Association (ASA), we are surveying the ASA membership to investigate this issue. This session will feature a discussion of the survey results and implications from a group of neurodivergent statisticians, as well as ASA Associate Executive Director Donna LaLonde.