Give
Research >

State of the Field

Research shapes how autism is understood—and how services, workforce training, funding, and policy are designed. For decades, people with profound autism have been underrepresented or excluded from much of the autism research literature, often due to inconsistent definitions and methodological barriers.

This page provides a snapshot of the current state of research related to profound autism: where the field has been, where it is now, and why recent developments matter for real-world impact.

Current Landscape

The research landscape is beginning to shift.

Recent developments include:

  • Increased discussion of profound autism at major research conferences

  • Growing recognition of the need for lifespan-inclusive studies

  • Emerging datasets and training initiatives that include individuals with high support needs

  • Greater attention to communication, adaptive functioning, medical complexity, and intense behaviors

While inclusion remains uneven, these changes signal a growing awareness within the research community that understanding autism requires understanding the full spectrum of support needs.

Profound Autism Fact Sheet

Our core values include compassion, clarity, and progress. Download our one-page fact sheet to learn more about the term profound autism.

Get the Facts Here

Why Definitions Matter

One of the most significant barriers to inclusion has been the lack of a shared research definition of profound autism. Without clear criteria, researchers have struggled to consistently identify and include individuals with the highest support needs in studies.

In 2025, a consensus research definition of profound autism was introduced at the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) Annual Meeting. Developed through a multi-stakeholder process involving researchers, clinicians, autistic self-advocates, and family members, this definition provides a framework for consistent inclusion in research.

Profound Autism Alliance helped fund this foundational work, recognizing that shared definitions are essential for building a coherent and inclusive evidence base.

Importantly, this definition is a research tool, not a label for individuals. Its purpose is to support clarity, consistency, and inclusion in scientific studies.

A Consensus-Based Research Definition of Profound Autism 2025

We are grateful to the many researchers who participated in this critical consensus project over the last year and extend our thanks to the Autism Science Foundation, which partnered with us to fund this work.

Consensus Statement

2023
Centers for Disease Control Prevalence Study

Published April 2023[2]

Based on previous work by the Lancet Commission, the Centers for Disease Control released their first prevalence study on profound autism in April 2023.

The research concluded that:

  • The percentage of 8-year-old children with profound autism among those with autism was 26.7%. This means that 1 in 4 children with autism have profound autism.
  • Compared with children with non–profound autism, children with profound autism were more likely to be:
    • female;
    • from racial and ethnic minority groups;
    • of low socioeconomic status;
    • born preterm or with low birth weight;
    • have self-injurious behaviors;
    • have seizure disorders;
    • and have lower adaptive scores.

2021

The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism

Published: December 6, 2021[1]

"Awareness of autism has grown monumentally over the past 20 years. Yet, this increased awareness has not been accompanied by improvements in services to support autistic individuals and their families. Many fundamental questions remain about the care of people with autism—including which interventions are effective, for whom, when, and at what intensity. The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism aims to answer the question of what can be done in the next 5 years to address the current needs of autistic individuals and families worldwide."


Lancet Commission Introduces a New Definition

The Commission proposes that the designation of profound autism be adopted as an administrative term to apply to children and adults:

  • Requiring 24-hour access to an adult who can care for them if concerns arise,
  • Being unable to be left completely alone in a residence and unable to take care of basic daily adaptive needs.

What the New Definition is Not

  • The term profound autism is not appropriate for young children.
  • It is not intended to describe other severe difficulties related to autism that might apply to individuals with extraordinary life circumstances, trauma, family conflict, scarcity of resources, or those with co-occurring mental health problems.

[1] Lord C, Charman T, Havdahl A, Carbone P, Anagnostou E, Boyd B, Carr T, de Vries PJ, Dissanayake C, Divan G, Freitag CM, Gotelli MM, Kasari C, Knapp M, Mundy P, Plank A, Scahill L, Servili C, Shattuck P, Simonoff E, Singer AT, Slonims V, Wang PP, Ysrraelit MC, Jellett R, Pickles A, Cusack J, Howlin P, Szatmari P, Holbrook A, Toolan C, McCauley JB. The Lancet Commission on the future of care and clinical research in autism. Lancet. 2022 Jan 15;399(10321):271-334. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01541-5. Epub December 6, 2021. Erratum in: Lancet. 2022 Dec 3;400(10367):1926. P.M.I.D.: 34883054.

[2] Hughes MM, Shaw KA, DiRienzo M, et al. The Prevalence and Characteristics of Children With Profound Autism, 15 Sites, United States, 2000-2016. Public Health Reports. 2023;0(0). doi:10.1177/00333549231163551

[3] Stedman, Amy & Taylor, Briana & Erard, Michael & Peura, Christine & Siegel, Matthew. (2019). Are Children Severely Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder Underrepresented in Treatment Studies? An Analysis of the Literature. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 49. 10.1007/s10803-018-3844-y.

 

From Research to Real-World Impact

Research inclusion matters because it directly influences what happens outside the laboratory.

When research reflects the realities of profound autism, it can:

  • Inform realistic service models and staffing expectations

  • Support workforce training that prepares clinicians to work with complex needs

  • Reduce reliance on crisis-driven care

  • Improve coordination across medical, behavioral, and educational systems

Profound Autism Alliance’s funding of the ECHO Autism® Intense Behavior series is one example of how research can be translated into practice—supporting clinicians with evidence-based training focused on severe emotional dysregulation, self-injury, and aggression.

Ongoing Gaps and Challenges

Despite recent progress, significant gaps remain:

  • Limited longitudinal research focused on adults with profound autism

  • Persistent workforce shortages

  • Inconsistent access to appropriate services across regions

  • Barriers to participation for families already under strain

Addressing these gaps will require sustained investment, inclusive research design, and collaboration across disciplines.

Looking Ahead

The state of the field is evolving.

With clearer research definitions, increased visibility, and intentional translation into training and practice, the foundation is being laid for research that better reflects the lives of people with profound autism and their families.

Profound Autism Alliance remains committed to advancing research that is inclusive, rigorous, and grounded in real-world impact—and to ensuring that progress in the field leads to meaningful change.

Questions? Please email us at [email protected].