CDC Report: Almost 1 in 10 Children Diagnosed with Developmental Disabilities

According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of American children diagnosed with developmental disabilities has increased once again in 2021. The report highlights that over 10% of boys, aged 3 to 17 years, have been diagnosed with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or other developmental delays. The findings are based on the latest data from the CDC's National Health Interview Survey, an ongoing study aimed at understanding the prevalence of these conditions in the population.

Benjamin Zablotsky, a statistician for the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics and lead author of the report, emphasizes the importance of determining the prevalence of developmental disabilities to ensure that adequate services are available for families and children in need. A previous report covering the period from 2009 to 2017 revealed that the increase in diagnoses was primarily driven by ADHD, autism, and intellectual disability.

This new report is the first one released since 2017, specifically focusing on this topic. It indicates that rates of intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder did not experience a statistically significant increase from 2019 to 2021. The report shows that 1.65% of children had an intellectual disability, while 3.05% were diagnosed with autism. The only category that demonstrated a significant increase was the percentage of parents reporting that their child had an "other developmental delay." This category encompasses various issues, including cerebral palsy and speech difficulties. The proportion of children with this diagnosis increased from 5.08% in 2019 to 6.06% in 2021.

Zablotsky explains that developmental delays are sometimes temporary diagnoses that may evolve into conditions like autism or intellectual disability. However, in many cases, children eventually outgrow these delays. The survey no longer includes questions about the prevalence of less common conditions such as cerebral palsy due to the unreliability of estimates in small sample sizes.

The report also highlights that rates of developmental disabilities are significantly lower in girls compared to boys, with 5.31% of girls diagnosed compared to 10.76% of boys. Additionally, Asian children have the lowest diagnosis rate at 4.85% within their group, while there were no significant differences between Hispanic, Black, and White children.

The increasing rates of developmental disabilities among American children mirror global trends, where more children are being diagnosed with developmental delays. Maureen Durkin, chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, sees this as a sign of progress in terms of better diagnosis and longer life expectancy for children with disabilities. She emphasizes the need to focus on prevention and improving outcomes for these children.

Durkin points out the improvements in care for newborns, increased services and outreach for diagnoses and treatment, and the implementation of universal screening efforts by healthcare professionals and authorities. The CDC encourages parents to "Learn the Signs" and "Act Early" to track their child's developmental milestones and promote early interventions, which can enhance the chances of overcoming developmental delays.

Another notable finding is the shift in autism diagnoses among different racial and ethnic groups. Previous estimates in 2016 indicated higher rates of autism in White children, but the recent data shows that Black children now have the highest prevalence. Durkin, who is also an investigator for the CDC's Autism Disabilities Monitoring Network in Wisconsin, highlights a significant change in this disparity. The prevalence of autism was found to be lower in White children across various communities, while Black, Hispanic, and Asian or Pacific Islander children had higher rates.

Durkin suggests that developmental disabilities are more prevalent in disadvantaged communities due to various risk factors such as preterm birth and lead poisoning. She acknowledges that the under-identification of autism was a concern in the past, but progress has been made in recognizing and diagnosing the condition.

In summary, the CDC report reveals an ongoing increase in the prevalence of developmental disabilities among American children. While it can be seen as a sign of progress in terms of better identification and support, there is still a need for preventive measures and improved outcomes for children with these conditions. The report emphasizes the importance of early intervention and highlights the changing patterns of diagnoses across different racial and ethnic groups.