October 5, 2009

CDC recognizes the importance of the data released today in Pediatrics by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on parental report of autism from the National Survey of Children's Health.

An updated prevalence report from CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is currently in press. Given the importance of the issue and these new findings, we would like to confirm that updated preliminary data from CDC shows that overall prevalence findings are similar to those reported by HRSA indicating that approximately 1% of children are affected with an ASD.  There is some variation in ASD prevalence among the ADDM Network communities, which will be described in detail in the upcoming report. We expect to make the CDC report available in its entirety later this year in accordance with publication guidelines. 

CDC joins with HRSA in recognizing that ASDs are conditions of urgent public health concern and these data affirm that a concerted and substantial national response is warranted.  We will continue to research potential risk factors associated with ASDs and will continue our work in surveillance so that we can understand trends in ASD rates over time. We hope that these new data might raise awareness about ASDs to help improve early identification and intervention and to provide information for policy and service planning, which will ultimately help to meet the growing needs of individuals, families, and communities affected by ASDs.

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