As of 2010, the CDC has reported that about 1 in 68 children has been identified with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD), occurring in all occur in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic
groups.
“Prevalence among non-Hispanic white children (12.0 per 1,000) was significantly greater
than among non-Hispanic black children (10.2 per 1,000) and Hispanic children (7.9 per 1,000).
Autism Spectrum Disorder
3
Given that there are no clearly documented differences between these groups in terms of risk factors
for ASD, disparities in prevalence estimates suggest under-identification among Hispanic and non-
Hispanic black children” (CDC, 2014). Prevalence of autism has increased by 119.4% from 2000 to
2010, increasing by 6-15% each year from 2002 to 2010, per the CDC. In the United States, more
than 3.5 million Americans have been diagnosed with ASD. Autism related services cost, on
annually cost on average $236-262 billion for U.S citizens, with the majority of the cost being for
adult services. With early diagnosis and intervention, the cost of lifelong care for ASD individuals
can be reduced by 2/3. According to a 2016 CDC report, ASD is about 4.5 times more common
among boys than among girls. “Studies in Asia, Europe, and North America have identified
individuals with ASD with an average prevalence of between 1% and 2%.” (Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD), 2015)
The diagnosis of autism requires evaluation by a professional. “In order to diagnose
autism, medical professionals look at a child’s specific behaviors. Some of these behaviors may be
obvious in the first few months of a child’s life, or they may appear at any time during the early
years. Diagnosing autism can often be difficult due to the similarity if symptoms shared with other
mental disorders such as ADHD, sensory processing disorder, social anxiety, other learning
disabilities, speech delay, OCD, social anxiety, and being gifted. In fact, those with autism spectrum
disorder can often be in combination with other disorders. Some individuals can often have very
mild symptoms, resulting in being diagnosed with several other disorders before finally being
diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Asperger’s syndrome consists
of sensory processing disorder, social anxiety and OCD symptoms. Symptom severity can vary from
one individual
to the next, and symptoms can vary between the genders as well.
Diagnosis of autism consists of two stages. The first stage is a developmental screening
during ‘well child’ check-ups. The second stage involves a thorough evaluation by a
Autism Spectrum Disorder
4
multidisciplinary team” (My Child Without Limits, 2018). The multidisciplinary team often
consists of a Developmental Pediatrician, Child Neurologist, a Child Psychologist and
Psychiatrist. Possible diagnostic tools can include:
“Autism
Diagnostic
Interview (ADI)
,
Autism
Diagnostic
Observation Schedule (ADOS)
,
Bayley
or the
Mullen Scales of Early
Learning
(MSEL, Mullen)
,
Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS)
” (Autism Science
Foundation, 2018). It is important that once a child is screened, and receives a diagnosis, early
