Autism diagnoses are increasing in the United States, the new federal data showing one in 31 people have been identified with autism Spectrum disorder (TSA) in 2022 – the highest rate ever recorded in the country.
A Report published Tuesday By the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found that autism diagnoses have climbed in the United States in recent decades. He also highlighted a major change: black, Hispanic and Asian children are now more likely to be diagnosed with autism than white children.
In 2000, around one in 150 children received a diagnosis of autism in the United States, according to CDC data. In 2016, this number had jumped to one in 54. Then, in 2020, it spent one in 36 again.
Now he has climbed even higher.
The CDC said that this increase, especially in young children and groups that were previously under-identified, stress how important it is to continue to improve access to diagnostic, processing and support services for all autistic children.
“As the oldest autistic organization of the basis of the country, the American autism society remains determined to guarantee that prevalence data lead to fairness and access – not fear, disinformation or political rhetoric”, Christopher Banks, President and Chief Executive Directorate of Autism Society of America, said in a statement on Tuesday.
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“The increase in prevalence … can reflect several factors, including greater awareness, screening and improved diagnosis – in particular in communities which were previously underrepresented by advocacy to better support the autism community,” added the press release.
Autism is a lifetime neurodevelopmental disorder that has an impact on brain development, which can lead to communication problems, difficulties with social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific behavior models.
It may appear in different ways – some children may have light challenges, while others need more support. Due to a wide range of symptoms and severity, autism is often described as a spectrum.
Although genetics and environmental factors play a role, the exact cause of autism is still unknown.
The Autism and Development Surveillance Network of the CDC, which follows data from 16 sites across the United States, found that around 2022, an eight out of 31 – or 32.2 children for 1,000 children – were identified with an autism spectrum disorder.
Prevalence rates varied considerably depending on the region, Texas having the lowest at 9.7 per 1,000 and the highest California at 53.1. Of the 11 sites that reported data in 2020 and 2022, nine saw an increase in autism rates, with an overall increase of 22.2%.
Boys have always been diagnosed with autism at rates much higher than girls. The 2022 report revealed that eight -year -old boys were 3.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism as girls at the same age.
The report also highlighted the disparities between racial and ethnic groups. Autism rates were higher in Asian or Pacific islanders (38.2 per 1,000), children from America or Alaska (37.5), black (36.6) and Hispanic (33.0) compared to white children, who had a rate of 27.7.
The report also shows that early identification is improving.
Children born in 2018 were 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism when they had four compared to those born in 2014.
“This increase in prevalence does not point out an” epidemic “as the stories claim – it reflects the progress of the diagnosis, and an urgent need for political decisions anchored in the science and the immediate needs of the autism community,” said the autism society of America.
“Early screening is essential because early intervention is strongly associated with improving the results of development, behavior and education,” he added.