Overview
- The CDC's latest data shows a significant increase in autism diagnoses, with 1 in 31 children identified by age 8 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020.
- Researchers attribute the rise primarily to improved screening, expanded diagnostic criteria, and better access to services, rather than a true surge in cases.
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has described the trend as an 'epidemic' and announced plans for new studies on environmental toxins, including food, air, and water, by September.
- Experts and advocacy groups reject the 'epidemic' label, cautioning that it perpetuates stigma and misrepresents autism as a preventable condition.
- The data highlights demographic disparities, with higher prevalence among boys and children from Black, Hispanic, and Asian communities, reflecting progress in reaching underserved populations.