CDC reports no change in autism prevalence

Story highlights CDC reports no change in autism prevalence since its last report in 2014 It might be too soon to tell if autism prevalence in the United States is starting to stabilize CNN — One in 68 children has autism, according to the latest government report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Almost 90% of children have an indication of developmental concern by age 3, and less than half of them are getting an evaluation,” said Michael Rosanoff, the director of public health research at Autism Speaks. “I think a huge thing we need to do at the early age and across the life span of people with autism is … identify and support individuals with autism.” The report also found that black and Hispanic children continue to be less likely to be diagnosed with autism than white children. “We are leaving these children at risk because if they are not identified, they are not getting into early intervention, and if they are not in early intervention, they can’t take advantage of the best weapon we have against autism, which is good early intervention.” The disparity in prevalence of autism between ethnic, minority children and white children is not because of a difference in prevalence, but because they have less access to diagnostic and support services, said Rosanoff.