A quarterly publication of the Autism Research Institute
Fall, 2024 | Number 4, Volume 38
A study by researchers in the United States indicates that between 2011 and 2022, autism diagnoses rose significantly, particularly among young adults, women, and children in some racial or ethnic groups.
Luke Grosvenor and colleagues analyzed data on more than 12 million patients in the Kaiser Permanente system. They report that overall, autism rates rose from 2.3 per 1,000 in 2011 to 6.3 per 1,000 in 2022. The autism diagnosis rate was highest among five- to eight-year-olds, while the greatest increase in diagnosis rate occurred among 26- to 34-year-olds. Diagnosis rate increases were greater for female children than male children, and relative increases were greater in children in several racial and ethnic minority groups compared with white children.
Grosvenor comments, “The improvement and expansion of universal developmental screening likely accounts for some of the increase in diagnosis rates we found in this study.” However, he says, “The magnitude of the rate increases and variability by age, gender, race, and ethnicity suggests factors other than improved screening are also con tributing to the rate increases.”
The researchers found that the ratio of males to females diagnosed with autism was 4-to-1 in 2011, but 3 to-1 in 2022. “We’re seeing a narrowing in the gap between males and females who are diagnosed with autism,” says study coauthor Lisa Croen. “This is very interesting, but we don’t know why. That’s a direction for future research to explore.”
The researchers say their findings underscore the need for expanded diagnostic and healthcare services for individuals with autism. This need is particularly urgent, they say, for young adults, among whom relative increases in diagnosis rates were highest. “This population faces significant challenges to addressing health care needs, also referred to as the ‘services cliff,’ in part due to lack of comprehensive or integrated services and accommodations in adult care,” they say. “Continuity of care is especially important considering autistic young adults experience elevated rates of diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, and other conditions.”
“Autism diagnosis among U.S. children and adults, 2011-2022,” Luke P. Grosvenor, Lisa A. Croen, Frances L. Lynch, Ben J. Marafino, Melissa Maye, Robert B. Penfold, Gregory E. Simon, and Jennifer L. Ames, JAMA Network Open, October 2024 (free online). Address: Luke Grosvenor, [email protected].
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“More women, young adults being diagnosed with autism,” Jan Greene, Kaiser Permanente, November 5, 2024.
