1 In 44 Kids Has Autism According To The CDC
The CDC recently announced that 1 in 44 children are being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States.
These new numbers come from a study based on data from 2018. Previous statistics were 1 in 54 children being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2016.
Autism numbers have been increasing in the U.S. for many years. This new data suggests that more children are being diagnosed. However, experts believe these numbers reflect more awareness of autism and better access to services.
1 in 44 Kids Has Autism
In a separately released report, the CDC states that children are 50% more likely to be diagnosed with autism by age 4 (2018) than in 2014.
The CDC tracks autism rates with their Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. This data is gathered from medical and special education records of 4-year-olds and 8-year-olds living in eleven regions. These areas include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.
1 in 35 Kids Has Autism in New Jersey
The autism rate among 8-year-old children in the United States is 1 in 44, and 1 in 35 in New Jersey, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that included researchers at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
The researchers used a new method to estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children of various ages in the eleven regions (listed above) in 2018. The rate of 1 in 44 among 8-year-olds was the highest estimate to date by the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network since its development in 2000.
Boys Diagnosed with ASD “Outnumber” Girls by 4.2 to 1
Boys with ASD outnumbered girls* by 4.2 to 1, and differences in prevalence and median age of ASD diagnosis were evident across the regions. Prevalence ranged from 1.6 percent (Missouri) to 3.9 percent (California); the median age of diagnosis ranged from 36 months (California) to 63 months (Minnesota). ASD prevalence varied by race/ethnicity and wealth. New Jersey’s autism rate (2.8 percent) was higher than the network average (2.3 percent) and higher than the 2016 estimate from New Jersey using the new CDC methodology (2.3 percent).
Opinion/Conclusion
I’m only weighing in because I live in New Jersey, and have witnessed autism rates steadily climb over the past two decades.
I truly feel, with all of my heart, that New Jersey’s autism rates have climbed because of increased awareness, earlier diagnosis and easier access to services. We also seem to have pretty decent services, however, as that old real estate saying goes, it’s all about location, location, location. Meaning, yes, New Jersey has very good services available, but it ultimately comes down to what area of New Jersey you call home.
I also believe that our rates are somewhat higher because people move to New Jersey, hoping to get their child the better services. I have met quite a few parents who have moved to New Jersey for that very reason. I even met a family who moved here from the United Kingdom just to have access to better services.
*Autism has been shown to present differently in girls. Girls often mask their autistic traits and can pass for neurotypical. This often delays and/or prevents diagnosis in girls.
