Autism prevalence jumps to 1 in 44 in new CDC report
Posted on 12/03/21 in News by Milestones
According to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism rates have risen once again.
In an announcement made yesterday, the CDC shared that 1 in 44 children, or 2.3%, are on the autism spectrum.
The increase comes from a report published in the agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that looked at data from a 2018 study on 8-year-old children from multiple communities across the United States.
According to the findings, autism prevalence varied significantly across the communities used for the study, which sheds light on the variability in local practice and systemic disparities in health care. It is also important to note that while disparities are starting to narrow between races, fewer cases of autism continue to be seen in Hispanic children compared to white or Black children.
This increase in prevalence is a sign of improved assessment and diagnosis, especially in children of color. Not only are more children getting properly diagnosed, they are now more likely to be diagnosed earlier than children in the past.
Milestones is hopeful that the increase in early diagnosis combined with the use of interventions at a younger age will significantly improve outcomes and quality of life for autistic individuals.
If you or a loved one is seeking a diagnosis or individualized autism resources, Milestones is here to help. Our professional staff can guide you through the screening process and connect you with the supports you need. Contact the free autism Helpdesk today at milestones.org/helpdesk or 216.464.7600 ext. 200 to get started. To be connected with a Spanish speaker, please dial ext. 500.
