The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced an update in the diagnosis rate of autism among school-aged children to 1 in 31 within the United States. The diagnosis rate is an estimation based on 2022 data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network and is based on reporting from 14 states and Puerto Rico and represents an increase from the previous rate of 1 in 36 based on 2020 data. Overall, findings indicate a range in diagnosis among the states and territories from 14.6 in 1,000 in Texas to 53.1 in 1,000 in California. These rising numbers underscore a critical and growing need for robust community support, inclusive public health initiatives, and equitable access to diagnostic services. As autism diagnoses become more common across a broader demographic spectrum, the call to move beyond awareness toward genuine acceptance and increased support for autistic individuals and their families has never been more apparent.

Early Identification of Autism Continues to Increase

The ADDM Network diagnosis rates rely on health and educational records for children at the ages of 4 and 8; the ADDM has taken biennial ASD estimates since 2000, when the diagnosis rate was 1 in 150. Early tracking included only diagnosis at 8 years of age; tracking at the age of 4 was added in 2010 to indicate the prevalence of early diagnosis. Although the number of children diagnosed by the age of 4 continues to be less than those diagnosed at the age of 8, the rate of diagnosis continues to increase, highlighting the continued increased prevalence of ASD overall. Aside from an interruption in the pattern during early 2020 coinciding with the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, early diagnosis or eligibility for ASD continues to increase with children with ASD who were born in 2018 having had more evaluations and identification during the ages of 0 to 4 years than children with ASD who were born in 2014 during the same age range. Among 7,227 children at the age of 8 with ASD and available evaluation records, 50.3% were evaluated by age 36 months. Children with ASD and an intellectual disability have a lower median age of diagnosis at 43 months than children with ASD, but without an intellectual disability, at 49 months.

Demographic Shifts in ASD Diagnosis

There also continues to be a demographic shift in ASD diagnosis. Starting in 2020, ASD diagnoses in underserved communities, including those of Asian/Pacific Islander (38.2), Black (36.6), and Hispanic (33) heritage at the age of 8, were higher than the diagnosis of children of White or multiracial heritage. Additionally, it is noted that children with Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic backgrounds aged 8 years with ASD were also more likely than White or multiracial children with ASD to have a co-occurring intellectual disability. It should also be noted that in most reporting locations, there is no longer a consistent correlation between socioeconomic status and ASD diagnosis rates. 

A Majority of School-Aged Children with ASD Have Official Documentation

The percentage of children with diagnostic statements, special education eligibility, and ICD codes varied by site and among the 15 sites, with an overall rate of 68.4%. Those children with ASD who had a documented autism special education eligibility were 67.3%, while those having a documented ICD code were 68.9%. A majority (69.9%) of children with ASD had at least two of the three types of ASD identification documented in their records, and 34.7% had all three types. Amongst those children with an IEP on file, the top categories aside from autism were speech or language impairment (24.7%); health, physical, or other disability (7.9%); developmental delay (6.9%); and intellectual disability (3.6%).

Looking Towards the Future

These findings underscore the evolving landscape of autism diagnosis in the United States, with increased prevalence, earlier identification, and changing demographic patterns reflecting both growing awareness and improved access to evaluations. The shift toward more frequent diagnoses in historically underserved communities and the rise in early identification efforts suggest progress in reaching children who may have previously been overlooked. However, the data also highlight the continued need for equitable access to diagnostic resources, comprehensive support services, and public health initiatives that can further close gaps in care. As ASD prevalence continues to rise, sustained monitoring and responsive intervention strategies will remain critical in ensuring that all children receive timely evaluations and the support they need to thrive.

For a review of the full CDC Report, Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm?s_cid=ss7402a1_w.