Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network show that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence varies significantly across communities in the United States. According to data collected in 2022, the overall ASD prevalence rate was 1 in 31, but this number varied widely among different sites.
The ADDM Network, which consists of 16 sites across the US, reported a range of ASD prevalence rates from 1 in 103 in Texas-Laredo to 1 in 19 in California. The data also revealed that certain groups, such as boys and Asian or Pacific Islander children, were more likely to be identified with ASD.
The CDC notes that while research does not currently indicate that living in a specific community increases the risk of developing ASD, there are opportunities for communities to learn from successful identification and diagnostic strategies. The data highlights the importance of early detection and evaluation, as well as the need for consistent policies and practices across different sites.
Several examples of successful approaches were identified through the ADDM Network data. California’s “Get SET Early” model has been used to train local pediatricians to screen and refer children for assessment, while Pennsylvania provides Medicaid coverage for children with disabilities regardless of income. Puerto Rico’s Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs Program has also contributed to increasing access to diagnostic evaluations.
The CDC emphasizes the importance of early awareness and action in responding to public health trends across different communities. The organization will continue to track data on ASD diagnoses and work to understand factors associated with outcomes among children and adolescents with ASD throughout their adult life.
For families who suspect their child may have ASD, the CDC offers several resources, including a free milestone tracker app and local early intervention programs. Early detection can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills and reduce the need for costly interventions over time.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/autism/articles/prevalence-varies-across-us-communities.html