Autism Among Children Without Intellectual Disabilities, Blacks and Hispanics, Still Underdiagnosed

Diagnosis of autism in children has been skyrocketing in recent years, rising from .6% of 8-year-old children in 2000 to 2.3% (1-in-44) in 2018. A new study, “Prevalence and Disparities in the Detection of Autism without Intellectual Disability,” in the February 2023 Pediatrics (published online Jan. 26) found that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to be under-diagnosed in children, particularly in children with ASD without intellectual disability and children who aren’t white. Researchers analyzed a study of ASD among 8-year-olds residing in the New York-New Jersey Metropolitan Area from 2000-2016 and found diagnosis of children with ASD without intellectual disability increased 500% and ASD with intellectual disability doubled over the course of the study. Only 1-in-3 children with ASD had intellectual disabilities. Children residing in affluent areas were 80% more likely to be identified with ASD without intellectual disabilities compared to children in underserved areas. Black children were 30% less likely to be identified with ASD compared to white children. Researchers concluded that there is a need to address health disparities in the identification of ASD through the expansion of screening programs and improved connection to ASD health care. As identification of ASD improves, particularly among Black and Hispanic children and children without intellectual disabilities, increases in ASD detection will continue.

###

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.