CDC

CDC reports on prevalence, early identification of autism spectrum disorder

April 18, 2025

A CDC report from 2022, conducted by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, examined autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children aged 4 and 8 years across 16 sites in the U.S. ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds was 32.2 per 1,000 children, with higher rates among boys and non-White children. Record abstraction for 8,613 children showed 68.4% had a documented ASD diagnosis, and 39.6% had an intellectual disability.

The median age of earliest known ASD diagnosis was 47 months. Children born in 2018 had higher cumulative incidence of ASD diagnosis by age 48 months compared with those born in 2014. Evaluations and identification were more frequent for children born in 2018, with a disruption in early 2020 due to COVID-19. Overall, 66.5% of children aged 8 years with ASD had a documented autism test, with significant variability across sites.

Increased identification of autism, particularly among very young children and previously underidentified groups, underscores the need for enhanced planning to provide equitable diagnostic, treatment, and support services for all children with ASD.

Source:

Shaw KA, et al. (2025, April 16). CDC. 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. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm