Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Numbers to Know-How

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Global prevalence of autism has increased twenty- to thirty-fold since the earliest studies 40–50 years ago. Just-published CDC data shows an estimated prevalence of 1 in 68 children affected by an autism spectrum disorder. ASD occurs in all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups, and is almost five times more common among boys than girls. Tracking and diagnosing ASD can be difficult, since there is no single biological marker, and diagnostic criteria have recently changed. Although signs may appear early in life, many children with ASD do not receive a final diagnosis until they are over the age of 4. This delay means that children with ASD and their families might not get the help they need during the most critical periods of development.

During this session we discussed the challenges of understanding and diagnosing this complex disorder and the opportunities for early identification and screening. This session of Grand Rounds also explored some of the evidence-based interventions that can help individuals with autism make gains in their development.