2011 to 2022 Saw Increase in Autism Diagnoses Among Children, Adults

HealthDay News — From 2011 to 2022, there was an increase in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses among children and adults, according to a study published online in JAMA Network Open.

Luke P. Grosvenor, PhD, from Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Pleasanton, and colleagues examined trends in the prevalence of ASD diagnoses using electronic records data from a large network of health systems in the United States in a cross-sectional study conducted from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2022.

Overall, 12,264,003 members were enrolled in 2022 (19.2% children aged 0 to 17 years). The researchers found that throughout the study period, the ASD diagnosis rate was highest among 5- to 8-year-olds, and increased by 175% among the full sample, from 2.3 to 6.3 per 1000 in 2011 and 2022, respectively. From 2011 to 2022, the greatest relative increase in diagnosis rate occurred among 26- to 34-year-olds (450%); greater increases were seen for female vs male children (305% vs 185%) and female vs male adults (315% vs 215%, respectively). Among children, but not adults, racial and ethnic minority groups had greater relative increases compared with White individuals.

“These findings forecast a substantial number of autistic people aging into adult care and can be used both to inform interventions for addressing disparities and to efficiently allocate resources to meet the support needs of autistic people across the lifespan,” the authors write.

One author disclosed ties to SAGE Pharmaceuticals.

Abstract/Full Text