Autism Prevalence Climbs: 1 in 36 Kids Now Diagnosed, With Racial/Ethnic Disparities Shifting

Overview

Paper Summary › Explain Like I'm Five › Conflicts of Interest › Identified Limitations › Rating Explanation › Good to know › Topic Hierarchy › File Information ›

Paper Summary

Paperzilla title

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among 8-year-old children in the U.S. was 27.6 per 1,000 (1 in 36) in 2020, higher than previous estimates. For the first time, ASD prevalence was lower among White children than other racial/ethnic groups, while Black children with ASD remain more likely to have a co-occurring intellectual disability.

Explain Like I'm Five

Scientists found that more 8-year-old kids have autism than they thought before, about 1 in every 36 kids. They also learned that autism is now less common in white kids than other groups, and Black kids with autism are still more likely to also have trouble learning.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Limitations

Data Availability and Completeness

The study relies on existing records, the quality and completeness of which can vary, potentially leading to underestimation or misclassification of ASD cases. Also, some sites did not have full access to education records, limiting the identification of children with ASD exclusively diagnosed through schools.

Intellectual Disability Assessment

The case definition for intellectual disability is based on a child's latest cognitive test, which might not accurately reflect their intellectual ability over time and doesn't incorporate adaptive functioning deficits.

Generalizability

The ADDM Network sites are not nationally representative, so findings might not generalize to all children in the United States. Changes in surveillance areas and data source access also complicate the interpretation of trends.

COVID-19 Impact

Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic reduced access to records and services, likely impacting the documentation and therefore diagnosis of ASD in 2020.

Unknown Prevalence of Undetected or False-Positive ASD

The study does not account for the prevalence of undetected ASD or false-positive diagnoses in each community.

Rating Explanation

This study provides valuable surveillance data on ASD prevalence and identification, using robust methodology. Despite some limitations related to data access and the impact of the pandemic, the findings are important for understanding trends and disparities in ASD. The study is clearly written and transparent about its limitations, which strengthens its scientific integrity.

Good to know

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Topic Hierarchy

Domain: Life Sciences

Field: Neuroscience

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

File Information

Original Title: Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2020

Uploaded: July 14, 2025 at 10:35 AM

Privacy: Public