CDC REPORTS “SIGNIFICANT INCREASE” IN CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports nearly one in 11 children in America have a diagnosed developmental disability.

The number of children diagnosed with autism has been rapidly rising for more than two decades (317% since 2000).  Now, the CDC, according to its latest survey, states that between 2019 and 2021, developmental disability diagnoses rose from 7.4% to 8.6% in children ages 3-17.

Researchers broke down the diagnoses into four categories: “any developmental disability,” “intellectual disability,” “autism spectrum disorder” and “other developmental delay.”  The greatest uptick was in the area of “other developmental delay” in younger children. “Intellectual disability” was more common in older children.

Boys remain far more likely to receive a diagnosis. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) report, cites prevalence of any developmental disability at 11% in boys, more than double the number of girls. Boys are now also three times more likely to get an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

“This report is concerning and confirms what we are seeing here at The Center,” commented TCFD President Dr. Theresa Hamlin, “Our Admissions office is increasingly busy fielding questions from school districts and parents looking for school and residential placements.  Our clinic is also seeing more and more members of our community seeking services.” “This latest research makes our new Children’s Specialty Hospital, due to open in the fall, more critical than ever,” Dr. Hamlin added, “We have more than 40-years of experience in caring for, treating, and educating individuals with developmental disabilities. Our next chapter will also involve spreading our knowledge to colleagues around the world, and parents/care-givers who moving forward – will need this education to help their own children.”