Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2016 | MMWR

Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2016 | MMWR

• One in 54 children were identified with autism in 2016, based on data collected on 8-year-old children across 11 US communities.
• Early detection of autism is improving: the percentage of 4-year-old children with autism who received their first developmental evaluation by age 36 months increased from 74% in 2014 to 84% in 2016.
• Healthcare providers can implement CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program to increase developmental screening and surveillance and help identify children with developmental disabilities earlier to allow for early intervention.