The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children aged 8 years in the US was 18.5 per 1,000 in 2016, higher than previous estimates. While no overall difference in prevalence was found between Black and White children, disparities persist in early evaluation and diagnosis for Black children, and Hispanic children continue to be identified less frequently.

One author, Zachary Warren, reported receiving personal fees and grants from various pharmaceutical and technology companies, though these were unrelated to the submitted work. Another author, John Constantino, reported receiving a grant from Western Psychological Services, also outside the submitted work.

This is a robust study utilizing a well-established surveillance program with a clearly defined methodology. Despite some limitations regarding data collection and generalizability, the findings provide valuable insights into ASD prevalence and disparities. The identified conflicts of interest appear to be minimal and unrelated to the study itself.