Childhood Autism Diagnoses Reach New High
Recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal a startling rise in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among U.S. children. In 2000, approximately 6.7 in 1,000 children were diagnosed with ASD. Fast forward to 2020, and the number has risen to 27.6 in 1,000 children. This shift signifies that currently, 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ASD, a sharp increase from 1 in 150 children two decades ago.
The uptick in autism diagnoses is particularly pronounced among minority groups, with Black and Hispanic children being diagnosed at higher rates than their White counterparts. A CDC report highlighted that autism is now more common in Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Pacific Islander children and is being diagnosed at younger ages. Compared with White children, autism rates were 1.8 times as high among Hispanic kids and 1.6 times as high among Black kids.
The CDC’s report underscores the critical need for early identification and intervention. These steps are essential in helping children with ASD to achieve their full potential. One positive aspect of the growing awareness of the increased number of autism diagnoses has been a distinctly improved level of public acceptance of those with the disorder. The stereotypical portrayal of autism has been improved as people become more aware of the diverse range of conditions that are involved.
Despite the progress in autism awareness and diagnosis, the reasons behind the rising autism rates remain complex and not fully understood. Some researchers point to better screening efforts capturing the true prevalence of autism. In contrast, others suggest environmental factors might play a role. Other factors including premature birth, low birth weight and maternal stress have been shown to increase the risks of autism.
Dr. Peter J. Chung, Medical Director of The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of California, Irvine, notes that efforts to increase screening and access to referrals for non-White children are improving treatment strategies. Experts remain unclear about why autism is being identified more frequently in those communities.
