African American and Hispanic children were less likely to be diagnosed with ASD than white children

A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health has found that African American and Hispanic children are less likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) than white children. The study, conducted by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), used data from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) to study the rates of ASD diagnosis among children aged 3-10 years old.

The study found that the overall rate of ASD diagnosis in the United States was 1 in 54 children. However, the rate of ASD diagnosis was significantly lower among African American and Hispanic children than among white children. For example, the rate of ASD diagnosis was 1 in 66 among African American children and 1 in 68 among Hispanic children.

The study also found that the disparities in ASD diagnosis were larger for boys than for girls. For example, the rate of ASD diagnosis was 1 in 42 among boys and 1 in 70 among girls.

The study’s authors discuss several possible explanations for the disparities in ASD diagnosis, including differences in access to healthcare, referral patterns, and diagnostic practices. They conclude that more research is needed to understand the disparities’ causes and develop interventions to reduce them.

The study’s findings are concerning because they suggest that African American and Hispanic children with ASD may be at risk of not receiving the early intervention services they need. Early intervention can make a big difference in the lives of children with ASD, and all children must have access to these services.

If you are concerned that your child may have ASD, it is important to talk to your doctor. There are a number of things that can be done to help children with ASD, and early intervention is key.