The Face of Autism in Israel

Abstract

This article seeks to offer a comprehensive perspective on autism in Israel, aligning with global reports. It aims to serve as a foundational resource for policymakers in developing relevant support and point to unmet needs. The data was drawn from publications by Israeli government authorities and academic publications. In 2022, the prevalence of child and adolescent autism in Israel was approximately 1.13%, with a male-to-female ratio of 4:1, and an annual increase of 23%, particularly among young children. In Israel, the diagnosis of autism follows the DSM-5 guidelines and is conducted by a physician and a psychologist specializing in autism. Typically, diagnosis is at age 2. The autism intervention approaches prevalent in Israel are consistent with those that are globally accepted. Children with autism are entitled to special education services adapted to their needs and developmental levels. The legally established package of services for children with autism includes sessions with occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers. Children and adults with autism are eligible for disability allowance along with support regarding residence, educational programs, and employment opportunities. Nonetheless, underdiagnosis and low accessibility to services are common in minority populations and rural areas. Furthermore, in recent years, services for autistic individuals have declined. This decline, particularly considering the ongoing rise in the prevalence of autism, pose significant challenges for Israeli government authorities in ensuring that autistic persons receive appropriate support.

Keywords: autism; education; prevalence; sectoral disparities; services.

Figure 1

Change of students with autism in kindergartens (ages 3–6) and schools (ages 6–21) from 2016 to 2022. (A) The number of students with autism; (B) the percentage of students with autism out of all students (The figures were generated using data obtained from Ministry of Education’s wide view system).

Figure 2

Types of treatments (SLP, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Social work, and Psychotherapy) according to age group given to children with autism aged 0–18 years in the HMOs in Israel, 2021. The figures were generated using data obtained from health insurance re.

Figure 3

Students with autism – segmentation according to educational frameworks in 2022: (A) preschoolers; (B) school-age children (6–18 years of age). The figures were generated using data obtained from Ministry of Education’s wide view system.

Figure 4

Segmentation by sector within the education system (2021). (A) The proportion of students from each sector: (State-education (Secular Jewish), Arab (including Bedouin), Druze and Circassians, Religious state education, and ultra-Orthodox education) out of all students within the education system. (B) The proportion of students with autism from each sector out of all students with autism within the education system. (The figures were generated using data obtained from Ministry of Education’s wide view system.