CDC’s Announcement of Updated Autism Prevalence Rates
Questions and Answers
March 27, 2014

Today, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced its updated report on the prevalence of autism, indicating the number of children with autism continues to rise. The current estimate is now 1 in 68 children under the age of 8 are diagnosed with autism in the United States each year. The report, which is available on the Autism Society’s website at www.autism-society.org identifies that the rate of autism has increased since the CDC’s last report in 2008 which found the rate of autism to be 1 out of 88 children in the United States (diagnosed each year).

In reviewing the report, please note the following:

1.  The rate of autism announced today is not the rate of autism among the entire United States population. Rather, it is the rate of autism diagnosis amongst a defined age group of children (up to age 8) as reported and determined by data reported from 11 CDC monitoring sites across America, the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.

2.  The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is an active national surveillance system that estimates the prevalence of ASDs and describes other characteristics among children aged 8 years whose parents or guardians reside within 11 ADDM sites in the United States. ADDM does not rely on professional or family reporting of an existing ASD diagnosis or classification to ascertain case status. Instead, information is obtained from children's evaluation records to determine the presence of ASD symptoms at any time from birth through the end of the year when the child reaches age 8 years. This information is collected at 11 CDC monitoring sites and sent back to the CDC, then published in the MMWR, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)

What is the cause/reason for the increase rate?

There is no specific scientific defined reason or cause for the increase in the CDC reporting. There will likely be a number of proposed suggestions regarding the cause or reason for the increase.  What is known is that there have been significant increases in the ability to properly diagnosis autism and such diagnosis is occurring at earlier ages for children than ever before. So, part of the increase might be attributed to better diagnosis occurring, which is very good. We know the earlier a child is properly diagnosed, the quicker he or she can get support and help.  Some may define the reason for the increase as caused by environmental issues. There is growing evidence that environmental factors may be a contributing factor of autism.  

Do childhood vaccinations cause autism and if so, is this a reason for the increase?

While many scientific studies have shown there is no direct cause of autism from vaccinations, there are parents and individuals that believe there is a link. The Autism Society encourages parents to examine all of the issues surrounding vaccinations and talk with their medical doctor in determining the impact a vaccination will have on a child.  The Autism Society also encourages parents to talk with their child’s doctor regarding the intervals between vaccinations.

What can be done to address the growing number of individuals with autism?

While many will suggest that more research and studies are needed, the Autism Society has a strong commitment to helping each person living today with autism maximize their quality of life. In order to achieve this, services and support systems need to be available to individuals and families so that every person with an autism diagnosis is able to live a life of success and opportunity. Unfortunately, this is not readily occurring for far too many individuals with a diagnosis of autism. What is needed is a national, state and local commitment to helping every person living with autism, removing unnecessary obstacles placed in that person’s progress to success and empowering every person with autism to be successful in life’s opportunities.

How can a person living with autism achieve the highest quality of life possible?

Because a person who has a diagnosis of autism does not mean that person is not entitled to the opportunities people who are not autistic have in their daily life. The Autism Society of America works to assure that each person living with autism is provided the highest level of respect, dignity, value and opportunity. A person living with autism can and wants to work. A person living with autism can and wants to be able to graduate high school and enter adulthood in a productive manner. A person living with autism wants to be self-sufficient and independent. Unfortunately, our nation has not made the commitment to those with autism to have this occur. Unemployment among adults with autism is as high as 70% or more; high school graduation rates for students with autism are much lower than the non-autism student rates; and far too many children who are autistic are unable to access needed services and support due to long waiting lists, income issues, or lack of services. To help all individuals with autism, our nation needs to respect the ability and being of each person with autism and then place the highest priority to help that person be a success and achieve the highest quality of life possible.  

What good can come from the CDC report?

The best that could come from the report is that our nation’s, state and local leaders commit to addressing the needs of those who live today with autism. There are over 3,000,000 people estimated to have an autism diagnosis in our nation. The report released by the CDC is simply numbers. But behind each number is a human being that is deserving of our nation’s respect, value and dignity. We must never treat a person with autism or with any disability in a way that is disrespectful and in a way that denies that person access to realizing the American Dream.

And we must be inclusive in our nation’s discussion. Individuals with autism must be part of the discussion and must not only be at the table of discussion but at the head of the table. Individuals with autism must be listened to and must guide us all in the future we all have in helping each person with autism be the best they can be.