Approximately 1 in 36 children are identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as per estimates from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. ASD prevalence cuts across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups and is observed to be almost four times more common in boys than in girls. A study spanning from 2009 to 2017 reveals that around 17% of children aged 3–17 years were diagnosed with a developmental disability, encompassing conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, blindness, and cerebral palsy, among others.
Identified Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder
ADDM Network 2000-2020 Combining Data from All Sites
| Surveillance Year | Birth Year | Number of ADDM Sites Reporting | Combined Prevalence per 1,000 Children (Range Across ADDM Sites) | This is about 1 in X children |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2012 | 11 | 27.6 (23.1-44.9) | 1 in 36 |
| 2018 | 2010 | 11 | 23.0 (16.5-38.9) | 1 in 44 |
| 2016 | 2008 | 11 | 18.5 (18.0-19.1) | 1 in 54 |
| 2014 | 2006 | 11 | 16.8 (13.1-29.3) | 1 in 59 |
| 2012 | 2004 | 11 | 14.5 (8.2-24.6) | 1 in 69 |
| 2010 | 2002 | 11 | 14.7 (5.7-21.9) | 1 in 68 |
| 2008 | 2000 | 14 | 11.3 (4.8-21.2) | 1 in 88 |
| 2006 | 1998 | 11 | 9.0 (4.2-12.1) | 1 in 110 |
| 2004 | 1996 | 8 | 8.0 (4.6-9.8) | 1 in 125 |
| 2002 | 1994 | 14 | 6.6 (3.3-10.6) | 1 in 150 |
| 2000 | 1992 | 6 | 6.7 (4.5-9.9) | 1 in 150 |
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder is tracked through a series of studies, including the 2023 Community Report on Autism, which offers insights into the latest ADDM data. Specific aspects covered in the report include disruptions in early identification due to the COVID-19 pandemic among 4-year-old children and emerging patterns in racial and ethnic differences in ASD identification among 8-year-old children.
For further information, you can explore the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, Child Development, and Developmental Disabilities. The “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign, along with the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, provides valuable resources. It’s crucial to understand that prevalence is a statistical measure representing the proportion or percentage of people in a population with a specific condition relative to the entire population.
