In an analysis of 2022 data across 16 sites, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that among 4 to 8-year-olds, 1 in 31 were diagnosed autistic.

Young child sitting quietly on the floor during a therapy session

April 15, 2025

The prevalence of autism among children in the United States was updated this week, with the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that 1 in every 31 children was diagnosed with the condition in 2022. This marks a continued upward trajectory from the CDC’s prior estimate of 1 in 36 children in 2020.

One report found that 1 in 36 8-year-old children have been diagnosed with autism, according to 2020 data from 11 states.

  • The CDC reported shifts in racial and ethnic disparities in autism prevalence – for the first time in years of CDC data collection, non-white children are identified as having autism at higher rates than white children;
  • The findings represent a nearly 20 percent increase over the 1 in 44 estimates based on 2018 data;
  • As in the past, among racial groups, Black children with autism and co-occurring intellectual disability are identified at significantly higher rates — suggesting that some Black children without intellectual disabilities are too-often missed;
  • Autism is nearly four times more prevalent in boys; among girls, prevalence is 1 in 88.

This latest announcement underscores the urgent need to invest in peer-reviewed, biological research about co-occurring conditions and autism and appropriate medical care for individuals across the spectrum. As science continues to reveal the complex and diverse nature of autism, it is clear that targeted funding is urgently needed to support the researchers and clinicians working on the front lines of investigation.

Since 1995, the Autism Research Institute (ARI) has brought together leading experts to explore the biological underpinnings and co-occurring medical conditions associated with autism. We proudly stand with others in the autism community in calling for sustained and meaningful investment in research that safeguards the health of autistic people.

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