Becoming the 1%: The Attractiveness and Sociopolitical Implications of Autism Prevalence as 1% in Mainland China

Numerous studies over the past two decades have indicated that autism prevalence in China is lower than international estimates, believed to be around 1%. However, various publications, especially newspaper articles and activist reports, have still characterized autism prevalence in the country as 1%. This paper examines the discrepancy between data by writing the biography of the 1% estimate, exploring its sociopolitical implications and cultural significance. It highlights the attractiveness and power of the 1% value in China, hinting at a possible role played by numbers in the “looping effect” described by Ian Hacking. Moreover, the author suggests that the emphasis on this specific estimate downplays the importance of questions opened up by the discrepancy in findings between Chinese and international autism research.