Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition. Autistic children often have differences in how they communicate, play and behave. Because most children on the autism spectrum will sit, crawl and walk on time, you may not notice early delays in social and communication skills.
Looking back, many parents can recall differences in ways their child connected with the world as early as their first year.
See
What Are the Early Signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Children on the autism spectrum and their families can be healthy and resilient
More research is needed to understand the course of development for children who are identified as autistic. Studies show that many autistic children are healthy and can do well throughout their life. This is especially true when they receive support and services.How common is ASD?
About 1 in 31 U.S. children (3.2%) are identified as autistic by the time they are 8 years old, according to a 2025
report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. The report was based on data collected at 16 sites throughout the United States in 2022.
For more information about the rise in autism rates reported and what it means for families, watch this video from pediatrician Sara Swoboda:
Differences based on gender and other factors
Boys are identified as autistic more than 3 times more often than girls. Overall, the CDC report showed autism was less commonly identified among non-Hispanic White children than among Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino and multiracial children. Autism rates ranged widely by location, from 9.7 per 1,000 8-year-old kids in Texas to 53.1 in California. The likely reason is that some populations do not have the same access to screening and evaluations.
Why are more kids being diagnosed with autism?
Overall, the number of children reported to be on the autism spectrum has increased since the early 1990s.
The increase in autism rates could be caused by many factors. For example:
Families became more aware of autism spectrum disorder.
Pediatricians began doing more
screening for autism, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Children are identified earlier, which is a good thing. When more children are screened and diagnosed, more can receive tailored supports they need to thrive.
Schools became more aware of autism, and children began receiving more appropriate individualized education services.
The autism spectrum has broadened and now includes children with other diagnoses such as intellectual disability, and youth with subtle autistic traits.
What causes autism?
Children on the autism spectrum do not have one common cause or reason they have the condition. A number of factors can lead to an individual being identified as autistic.
Scientists continue to learn more about what causes autism. We currently know that:
Families do not cause autism. Autistic children are found in families from all backgrounds.
Vaccines do not cause autism. This has been thoroughly researched for decades by multiple medical experts the U.S. and several other countries.
Family medical history and genetics may play a role. When a family has one autistic child, the chance that a sibling is on the autism spectrum is 10 to 20 times higher than for the general population. Relatives of children on the autism spectrum are more likely to share some similar social and behavioral characteristics of those seen among autistic children. However, these characteristics may not stand out enough for a medical diagnosis to be made.
Most children on the autism spectrum do not have a specific medical or genetic condition that explains their autism. However, autism may occur more often in children with certain medical conditions or genetic differences. These medical conditions can include fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex, Down syndrome, or other genetic conditions. Infants born preterm are another group that is more likely to be identified as autistic.
Brain differences have been found between some autistic children and non-autistic children.
Environmental factors that may contribute to autism are being studied but are not yet well understood.
Changes in how autism is defined & diagnosed
Doctors use a book called the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to assist in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder. In the past, only children with the most obvious or classic signs of autism were diagnosed. But in 2013, the diagnostic criteria for autism changed. This was based on research and clinical experience during the 2 decades since the DSM-IV was published in 1994. Now, children with more subtle traits are being identified as on the autism spectrum.
Several conditions used to be considered autism spectrum disorders in the DSM-IV. Those conditions were:
With publication of the fifth edition of the DSM in 2013, the terms listed above are no longer used and these conditions are now grouped in the broader category of autism spectrum disorder. Many people may self-identify as having Asperger Syndrome, but professionals no longer use this terminology when making a diagnosis.
The benefits of early identification of autism
Early intervention
Each child on the autism spectrum has different needs. The sooner autism is identified, the sooner families can access early supports and services that are tailored for their child’s needs.
The AAP recommends that all children be screened for autism at their
18- and
24-month well-child checkups. Research shows that starting early intervention can help children and families thrive throughout life.
Co-existing conditions
In addition, children on the autism spectrum may have other medical concerns or needs that require further evaluation and treatment. Commonly co-occurring conditions may include seizures, problems with sleep, gastrointestinal problems (feeding problems, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea) and behavioral health issues such as anxiety,
ADHD, irritability and aggression.
Remember
You can reach out to peer support organizations, such as
Family to Family Health Information Centers, for local information specific to children with special health care needs and disabilities.
More information