NAVIGATION

Autism Now Affects One in 36 Children in the U.S.

03/24/23

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report noting that one in 36 (2.8%) 8-year-old children have been identified with autism spectrum disorder. For the first time, the CDC’s analysis has revealed higher prevalence rates among Black non-Hispanic, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander children compared to White non-Hispanic children. 

Officials suspect this new prevalence rate is due to increased awareness leading to more children being identified with autism.

The previous 2018 estimate found a prevalence of 1 in 44 (2.3%). The new estimate is based on data gathered from 11 communities in 2020 by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.

Read the full report: Autism Prevalence Higher, According to Data from 11 ADDM Communities.
Download the National Autism Center's Early Signs of Autism flyer.