How common is autism spectrum disorder?

Any parent knows that each baby is different. Many moms and dads turn to milestones to see whether their child is growing and developing on track. When those benchmarks aren’t met, it’s common to ask: Does my child just need a little extra time, or could something be wrong?

Though often not a cause for concern, missed milestones can be an indicator of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental condition characterized by difficulty with communication and social interaction.

According to newly released data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 31 children has ASD, up from one in 36 just two years prior.

Why are autism diagnoses rising?

“Researchers attribute the rise in autism diagnoses to more widespread screening and the inclusion of a wider range of behaviors to describe the condition, which enables milder characteristics to be recognized,” explained Hannah Thompson, MS, CCC-SLP, speech-language pathology clinical lead for Wolfson Children’s Rehabilitation Autism and Neurodevelopment Center. “Additionally, separate diagnoses – autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder and pervasive developmental disorder – have now been combined under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder.”

Thompson added that increased access to health care and routine screenings by pediatricians – especially between ages 18 and 24 months when symptoms or regressions first appear – may have contributed to the rise in diagnoses.

The definition of autism has also changed over the years. Treating the condition as a spectrum rather than a strict set of traits means children may be flagged for evaluation and receive services earlier. While these factors may be why diagnoses are up, experts still can’t pinpoint what causes autism spectrum disorder in the first place. However, one reason has been safely ruled out.

“We still don’t know exactly what causes autism, but I want to emphasize that we do know what doesn’t cause autism: vaccines,” said Shalika Katugaha, MD, system director of Infectious Diseases for Baptist Health. “That myth originated from a now-debunked and retracted 1998 study, and multiple studies since have disproven the connection.”

Spotting signs of ASD

As researchers work toward answers, how can parents know if their child’s development is cause for concern?

“The most important thing for parents to do is to simply watch their child’s development and maintain regular visits with their pediatrician to discuss concerns that may arise,” Dr. Katugaha said. “You and the pediatrician will work together to determine next steps, which may include an assessment for autism or other developmental disorders.”

Possible signs and symptoms of autism that parents can watch for include:

• Lack of eye contact
• Unresponsiveness to their name or sounds
• Limited shared smiles
• Difficulty playing with toys appropriately
• Using a caregiver’s hand to lead them places
• Loss of skills or speech the child previously had (regression)

Early autism intervention

Thompson emphasized that early intervention is key in treating children with autism.

“We need to start treatment before the age of 3,” she said. “At Wolfson Children’s, we have the Early Autism Intervention Program that specifically targets these young children with symptoms of autism. Our therapists are all certified in the Early Start Denver Model, which is the only scientifically proven treatment model for children with autism. We also work closely with the families to provide the child’s caregivers with different strategies for interacting and supporting their child’s development. We provide therapy in a co-treatment model to assist with attention and engagement, regulation, communication, play, social and self-care skills.”