Researchers at the Texas Center for Disability Studies (TCDS), a research institute at The University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work, contributed to a recent CDC study tracking autism prevalence as part of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

The analysis was published on April 15 in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summaries, and marked the first time that the State of Texas was included in this research.

TCDS researchers examined a region of Bexar County and found that 1 in 51 (2.0%) of 8-year-old children were identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2022. This percentage is lower than the average identified (3.2%) across all 16 communities CDC tracks, highlighting the variability in autism prevalence.

Findings from the ADDM Network provide essential insights about the number of children with ASD, their characteristics, and the age at which they are first evaluated and diagnosed — critical information for health care providers, policymakers, and families.

“We’re excited to be part of this important public health surveillance initiative,” said Sandra Vanegas, Ph.D., director of research for the Texas Center for Disability Studies. “This data gives us an opportunity to reflect on current practices, evaluate available resources, and develop strategic efforts to improve our detection of autism and developmental disabilities across all systems of care. These efforts will empower our community to support children and their families.”

Key Findings

  • The percentage of children identified with autism is lower in the sample collected by TCDS researchers, compared with other sites where the CDC tracks autism for 4-year-old and 8-year-old children.
  • Half of the 8-year-old children with autism in the TCDS sample received their first diagnosis by 42 months, earlier than most other sites.
  • Among both 4- and 8-year-old children, boys were more likely to be identified with autism than girls. The TCDS sample had the lowest male-to-female ratio in the ADDM Network.

These findings help health care providers promote early identification of autism, inform policies to improve the lives of individuals with autism, plan for appropriate services, and guide future research to improve early identification and outcomes.

As a part of Texas Social Work, the Texas Center for Disability Studies is one of 67 nonprofit University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. The center brings together university professionals, statewide service providers, advocacy organizations, and communities with the guiding belief in individualized supports, inclusion, self-determination, and collaboration to address policy issues and systemic change.

About the ADDM Network   

Established in 2000, the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network is the only collaborative network to track the number and characteristics of children with autism spectrum disorder throughout the United States. In 2023, the ADDM Network expanded from 11 to 16 sites with support from Congress (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023). The CDC’s ADDM Network includes specific sites in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas (two sites), Utah, and Wisconsin.  Early identification can help children with ASD receive the services and support they may need as early as possible. The CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program provides free resources to help parents, caregivers, teachers, and health care providers track and discuss a child’s development.