The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Autism Spectrum Disorder Identification and Trends

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching effects on various aspects of life, and a notable impact has been observed in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identification among young children. According to the latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, disruptions caused by the pandemic have led to delays in identifying ASD in children, potentially resulting in long-lasting effects on the initiation of support services.

ASD Trends and Data:

The Children’s Health Act of 2000 empowered the CDC to establish the ADDM Network, tasked with monitoring the number and characteristics of children with ASD and other developmental disabilities across diverse communities in the United States. Data collected by the ADDM Network in 2020 indicates a continuing increase in ASD rates compared to previous years. Approximately 1 in 36 8-year-old children in ADDM Network sites were identified with ASD in 2020, marking a significant rise from the 2018 estimate of 1 in 44.

Disruptions in Early ASD Identification:

The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are evident in the analysis of data related to early ASD identification. Children born in 2016 were 1.6 times more likely to be identified with ASD by 48 months of age compared to children born in 2012. However, a notable setback occurred in evaluations and identifications after March 2020, leading to concerns about the potential long-term effects of delayed identification and service initiation.

Racial and Ethnic Differences:

For the first time, ADDM data highlighted a shift in racial and ethnic differences in ASD identification. The percentage of 8-year-old Black, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander children with ASD surpassed that of White children. This marks a departure from previous reports and emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of ASD prevalence across diverse communities.

Gender Disparities:

Another noteworthy finding is the higher percentage of 8-year-old girls identified with ASD, exceeding 1%. However, boys remain nearly four times as likely as girls to be identified with ASD, highlighting persistent gender disparities in ASD prevalence.

Intellectual Disability and Concerns:

Among 8-year-old children with ASD, more than one-third also had intellectual disability (ID). Concerns were raised about the percentage of Black children identified with ASD who also had ID, surpassing rates for Hispanic and White children. The need for targeted interventions and support for children with co-occurring ASD and ID is emphasized.

Implications and Utilization of Data:

Service providers, researchers, and policymakers can leverage ADDM Network findings to support service planning, inform policies for improved health care and education outcomes, guide research on risk and protective factors for ASD, and promote interventions to help children with ASD succeed. Early identification remains a focal point, with CDC's ADDM Network committed to tracking and understanding factors associated with ASD outcomes as children age and transition to adulthood.

The latest findings from the ADDM Network underscore the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASD identification and trends. The call for timely and equitable access to early identification and support services remains crucial in addressing the challenges posed by disruptions. As efforts continue to combat the effects of the pandemic, the commitment to early identification and intervention remains a cornerstone in improving the lives of children and families affected by ASD.

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DATA SOURCE: Higher Autism Prevalence and COVID-19 Disruptions | CDC

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