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Randolph, Mass. – One in 36 children in the United States (2.8%) is estimated to have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a report recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That number is up from one in 44 (2.3%) just two years ago.

For the first time since the CDC began collecting data on the prevalence of ASD in 2000 – when the prevalence of autism was estimated to be one in 150 children – the most recent analysis revealed that Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander children are being diagnosed with autism more frequently than are White children. In the past, autism was diagnosed most often in white children from middle- and upper-income families.

“We can’t say for sure, but we suspect this is due to increased awareness leading to more children being identified with autism,” Karen Remley, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., FAAP, Director of the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said in a press conference.

Boys continue to be four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls, but the prevalence of autism among 8-year-old girls exceeded 1% for the first time.

This year’s updated numbers, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, are based on data collected in 2020 by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Network from health and educational records of 8-year-olds living in 11 communities across America.

The CDC also looked at the occurrence of autism in 4-year-old children. The reason for this separate analysis is that children were increasingly being diagnosed with autism at a younger age. This report, also looking at data from 2020, showed a decline in early detection of ASD that was attributed to COVID-19.

“Disruptions due to the pandemic in the timely evaluation of children and delays in connecting children to services and support they need could have long-lasting effects,” said Dr. Remley. “The data in this report can help communities better understand how the pandemic impacted early identification of autism in young children and anticipate future needs as these children get older.”

Dr. Cynthia Anderson, Director of the National Autism Center at May Institute, says, “The latest data from the CDC indicate that children from traditionally under-represented groups may now be receiving autism evaluations more often than before, which we hope will translate into earlier and better access to appropriate supports for these children and their families.”

She went on to say, “Early diagnosis is important because it will allow parents and other care providers insight into a child’s neurotype, allowing them to provide appropriate accommodations and interventions for the child to help the child thrive.”

CDC Report

CDC Press Release 

Learn the early signs of autism.

For information about evidence-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder, visit www.nationalautismcenter.org

Randolph, Mass. – A new estimate released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that one in 44 U.S. children now has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two years ago, that figure was one in 54.

The updated numbers, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, are based on data collected in 2018 from health and educational records of 8-year-olds living in 11 communities across America.

Many of the findings were consistent with data collected in 2016: boys continued to be four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls; Hispanic children were less likely to be identified as having ASD than White or Black children; and more Black children were classified as having intellectual disability than Hispanic or White children.

According to the report’s conclusion, “Research into the factors associated with the variability in ASD prevalence across communities and the higher proportion of intellectual disability among Black children with ASD is warranted. Progress is still needed in certain important areas, including the lower identification of ASD among Hispanic children versus other demographic groups.”

“These findings highlight the importance of educating families and practitioners about early signs of autism, and making it easier and faster for families to access diagnostic services when children are very young,” says Cynthia M. Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Senior Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis for May Institute, and Director of the National Autism Center. “The earlier a child is diagnosed, the better the long-term outcome.”

Research shows that early diagnosis and intervention during the first years of a child’s life can significantly impact his or her long-term prognosis, particularly in the areas of language and social behavior.

“We must also make information universally available about the most effective evidence-based treatment for autism,” continues Dr. Anderson, “and create easier, faster, and more affordable access to that treatment for every child and family that needs and desires it, across all communities, ethnicities, and socio-economic groups.”

Randolph, Mass. – As we mark World Autism Awareness Day 2020, a new estimate released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that one in 54 U.S. children now has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD); two years ago, that figure was one in 59.

The updated numbers, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, are based on data collected in 2016 from health and educational records of 8-year-olds living in 11 communities across America. Boys continue to be four times more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls, which makes the prevalence in boys one in 37, while the prevalence in girls is one in 151.

The sheer volume these data represent – at least one million U.S. boys and girls have autism, not to mention the rapidly growing number of adults with autism – is staggering.

Important findings in the recent report include the fact that more children are being evaluated for ASD, and at younger ages. Additionally, for the first time, the prevalence in black and white children is the same. This suggests that we are doing a better job across the country identifying children in some historically under-reached communities. 

However, the report also noted that, “Although no overall difference in ASD prevalence between black and white children aged 8 years was observed, the disparities for black children persisted in early evaluation and diagnosis of ASD. Hispanic children also continue to be identified as having ASD less frequently than white or black children.” [Read the report.] 

The call to action is clear. We must redouble our efforts to educate families and practitioners about autism’s early warning signs and diagnose children at a younger age. The earlier a child is diagnosed, the better the long-term outcome. Research shows that early diagnosis and intervention during the first years of a child’s life can significantly impact his or her long-term prognosis, particularly in the areas of language and social behavior.

We must also make information about the most effective evidence-based treatment for autism universally available, and create easier, faster, and more affordable access to that treatment for every child and family that needs it, across all communities, ethnicities, and socio-economic groups.

The National Autism Center at May Institute continues to offer free, downloadable resources about autism treatments at nationalautismcenter.org, including information about early warning signs. “Although we, like everyone else in the U.S., are dealing with the incredible challenges that have accompanied the COVID-19 crisis,” says May Institute President and CEO Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, “we believe that promoting awareness about autism is as important as ever. It is my hope that this pandemic will make us all more aware of and empathetic toward not only the needs of individuals with autism, but of the needs of all of the most vulnerable individuals in our community and around the world.”

[Boston Globe, 5/19/19]

Re “Contain measles outbreak with these two simple steps” (Editorial, May 8, 2019): Families make the choice not to vaccinate their children for various reasons. Among them is the long-held fear that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine may cause autism. This belief is based on a widely discredited study published in the medical journal Lancet in 1998, which resulted in researcher Andrew Wakefield losing his medical license.

Vaccinations do not cause autism.

Even as the number of unvaccinated children increases, autism diagnosis rates continue to rise. The fact is, depriving a child of the MMR vaccine will not help him or her avoid a diagnosis of autism, but it could place that child’s health at significant risk.

As we continue to communicate the critical importance of early diagnosis and intervention for young children with autism, we have a responsibility to push back against the misinformation that the MMR vaccine can cause autism.

Cynthia Anderson, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Senior Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis for May Institute
and Director of May Institute’s National Autism Center
Randolph, Mass.

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WBZ-TV’s Nick Giovanni sits down with Senior V.P. of the May Institute Dr. Cynthia Anderson to discuss how they help adults with autism.