For the first time in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a higher frequency of autism diagnoses among Black and Hispanic children than white children.
The CDC estimated that in 2020, 1 in 36 US 8-year-olds were diagnosed with autism, an increase from 1 in 44 two years earlier. However, the rate increased more quickly for children of colour than for white children. Approximately 3% of Black, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander children received an autism diagnosis, while about 2% of white children did.
In the past, autism was predominantly diagnosed in white children from middle- or upper-income families with access to specialized care. As recently as 2010, white children were 30% more likely to receive an autism diagnosis than Black children and 50% more likely than Hispanic children.
Experts attribute the shift to enhanced screening, improved autism services for all children, and increased awareness and advocacy efforts within Black and Hispanic communities. University of Pennsylvania psychiatry professor David Mandell referred to the change as a “rush to catch up.”
However, it is unclear whether Black and Hispanic children with autism receive equal support compared to their white counterparts. A study published in January revealed that during the 2017-2018 academic year, Black and Hispanic children had less access to autism services than white children.
Autism is a developmental disability resulting from brain differences, with symptoms that can overlap with other diagnoses. There is no known biological reason for autism being more prevalent in one racial or ethnic group over another. The term “autism spectrum disorders” now encompasses a range of milder, related conditions.
Diagnosing autism involves assessing a child’s behaviour, as no blood or biological tests are available. The CDC’s method for estimating autism prevalence is considered the gold standard, focusing on health and school records for 8-year-olds in 11 states.
Autism rates have been increasing for decades and remain more common among boys than girls. However, the latest study also found that over 1% of 8-year-old girls had been diagnosed with autism for the first time.
A second CDC report examined autism prevalence in 4-year-olds, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis. Similar to 8-year-olds, autism was less common among white 4-year-olds than among Black, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander children. However, fewer 4-year-olds were evaluated for autism in 2020, likely due to childcare and medical services disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early diagnosis is crucial for providing appropriate interventions and support for children with autism. As awareness and advocacy efforts expand, it is essential that all children, regardless of race or ethnicity, receive equal access to autism services and support.
Efforts should be made to address disparities in services and ensure that resources are available to children and families from all backgrounds. Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to the increase in autism diagnoses among children of colour and to identify potential barriers that may prevent timely diagnosis and treatment.
