Articles on Autism Spectrum Disorder
CDC Releases First Estimates of the Number of Adults Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United States
This study fills a gap in data on adults living with ASD in the United States because there is not an existing surveillance system to collect this information.
(Published May 10, 2020)
New Data on Autism Spectrum Disorder in 4-Year-Old Children
CDC scientists published a report on the prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among 4-year-old children.
(Published April 11, 2019)
ADDM Network update
New CDC funding will expand knowledge about children with autism spectrum disorder.
(Published December 13, 2018)
Key Findings: Opioids Prescribed Just Before Pregnancy Associated With Autism
A study from the Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in collaboration with the CDC, found that mothers who were prescribed opioids just before becoming pregnant were more likely to have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a child with other developmental disabilities (DDs) and some autism symptoms.
(Published: August 21, 2018)
Key Findings: Autism is Associated with Amount of Time Between Births
A study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and research partners found that shorter and longer time periods between births are linked to having a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The findings from this study can help healthcare providers convey information to their patients about the ideal timing between pregnancies.
(Published: December 6, 2017)
Key Findings: Prevalence of Self-injurious Behaviors Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders has published a new study showing that nearly 28% of 8-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behave in ways that can lead to self-injury.
(Published: October 21, 2016)
Key Findings: Prevalence and Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among 4-Year-Old Children
Data from a CDC pilot project, published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, suggest that progress has been made in identifying children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at younger ages.
(Published December 9, 2015)
Key Findings: Autism symptoms among children enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development
A new analysis looking at autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms among young children enrolled in CDC’s Study to Explore Early Development (SEED).
(Published June 6, 2015)
Key Findings: The association between assisted reproductive technology and autism spectrum disorder
New studies on the relationship between ART and autism.
(Published March 20, 2015)
ADDM Network update
New CDC funding will expand knowledge about children with autism spectrum disorder.
(Published January 2, 2015)
Classifying autism in research studies
Using standardized diagnostic instruments to classify children with autism to help find causes of the disorder.
(Published October 27, 2014)
Key Findings
Unhealthy weight among adolescents with autism.
(Published March 17, 2014)
Risk Factors for Autism
Read key findings from new CDC research.
(Published: March 17, 2014)
Key Findings
Potential impact of DSM-5 criteria on autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimates.
(Published: January 22, 2014)
Developmental Milestones Matter!
Skills, such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving “bye-bye,” are called developmental milestones. From birth to 5 years, your child should reach milestones in how he or she plays, learns, speaks, acts and moves.
(Published: October 5, 2020)
New ASD prevalence numbers show gaps are closing, but more work is needed
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to affect many children and families.
(Published: March 26, 2020)
Why Act Early if You’re Concerned about Development?
Act early on developmental concerns to make a real difference for your child and you! If you’re concerned about your child’s development, don’t wait. You know your child best.
(Published: December 9, 2019)
Living with Autism: Anita’s Story
Read about one woman’s experience living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
(Published: August 27, 2019)
New CDC Funding Will Expand Knowledge about Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Over the next five years, CDC will invest more than $27 million to carry out a new phase of the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED).
(Published: August 27, 2019)
Who Am I? A New Look At Autism
Read one mother’s perspective on autism spectrum disorder.
(Published: August 27, 2019)
For more information on publications from the Study to Explore Early Development, visit the SEED Research Findings webpage.
2020
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2016
MMWR Surveillance Summary. March 2020.
Matthew J. Maenner, PhD1; Kelly A. Shaw, PhD1; Jon Baio; EdS1; Anita Washington, MPH1; Mary Patrick, MPH1; Monica DiRienzo, MA1; Deborah L. Christensen, PhD1; Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD1; Sydney Pettygrove, PhD2; Jennifer G. Andrews, PhD2; Maya Lopez, MD3; Allison Hudson3; Thaer Baroud, MHSA, MA3; Yvette Schwenk3; Tiffany White, PhD4; Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg, PhD5; Li-Ching Lee, PhD6; Rebecca A Harrington, PhD6; Margaret Huston6; Amy Hewitt, PhD-7; Amy Esler, PhD7; Jennifer Hall-Lande, PhD7; Jenny N. Poynter, PhD7; Libby Hallas-Muchow, MS7; John N. Constantino, MD8; Robert T. Fitzgerald, PhD8; Walter Zahorodny, PhD9; Josephine Shenouda, MS9; Julie L. Daniels, PhD10; Zachary Warren, PhD11; Alison Vehorn, MS11; Angelica Salinas, MS12, Maureen S. Durkin, DrPH, PhD12; Patricia M. Dietz, DrPH1
Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 Years — Early Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, Six Sites, United States, 2016
MMWR Surveillance Summary. March 2020.
Kelly A. Shaw, PhD1; Matthew J. Maenner, PhD1; Jon Baio; EdS1; Anita Washington, MPH1; Deborah L. Christensen, PhD1; Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD1; Sydney Pettygrove, PhD2; Jennifer G. Andrews, PhD2; Tiffany White, PhD3; Cordelia Robinson Rosenberg, PhD4; John N. Constantino, MD5; Robert T. Fitzgerald, PhD5; Walter Zahorodny, PhD6; Josephine Shenouda, MS6; Julie L. Daniels, PhD7; Angelica Salinas, MS8; Maureen S. Durkin, PhD, DrPH8; Patricia M. Dietz, DrPH1
2018
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2014
MMWR Surveillance Summary. April 2018.
Baio J, Wiggins L, Christensen DL, Maenner MJ, Daniels J, Warren Z, Kurzius-Spencer M, Zahorodny W, Robinson Rosenberg C, White T, Durkin MS, Imm P, Nikolaou L, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Lee LC, Harrington R, Lopez M, Fitzgerald RT, Hewitt A, Pettygrove S, Constantino JN, Vehorn A, Shenouda J, Hall-Lande J, Van Naarden Braun K, Dowling NF.
2016
Reported wandering behavior among children with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability.external icon
Journal of Pediatrics. July 2016.
Rice CE, Zablotsky B, Avila RM, Colpe LJ, Schieve LA, Pringle B, Blumberg SJ.
Population impact of preterm birth and low birth weight on developmental disabilities in US children.external icon
Annals of Epidemiology. April 2016.
Schieve LA, Tian LH, Rankin K, Kogan MD, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Visser S, Rosenberg D.
Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2012.external icon
MMWR Surveillance Summary. April 2016.
Christensen DL, Baio J, Van Naarden Braun K, Bilder D, Charles J, Constantino JN, Daniels J, Durkin MS, Fitzgerald RT, Kurzius-Spencer M, Lee LC, Pettygrove S, Robinson C, Schulz E, Wells C, Wingate MS, Zahorodny W, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Demographic profile of families and children in the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED): Case-control study of autism spectrum disorder.external icon
Disability and Health Journal. January 2016.
DiGuiseppi CG, Daniels JL, Fallin DM, Rosenberg SA, Schieve LA, Thomas KC, Windham GC, Goss CW, Soke GN, Currie DW, Singer AB, Lee LC, Bernal P, Croen LA, Miller LA, Pinto-Martin JA, Young LM, Schendel DE.
Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorders among 4-year-old children in the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.external icon
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. January 2016.
Christensen DL, Bilder DA, Zahorodny W, Pettygrove S, Durkin MS, Fitzgerald RT, Rice C, Kurzius-Spencer M, Baio J, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Presence of an epigenetic signature of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure in childhood.external icon
Environmental Research. January 2016.
Ladd-Acosta C, Shu C, Lee BK, Gidaya N, Singer A, Schieve LA, Schendel DE, Jones N, Daniels JL, Windham GC, Newschaffer CJ, Croen LA, Feinberg AP, Daniele Fallin M.
2015
Estimated prevalence of autism and other developmental disabilities following questionnaire changes in the 2014 National Health Interview Survey.external icon
National Health Statistics Report. November 2015.
Zablotsky B, Black LI, Maenner MJ, Schieve LA, Blumberg SJ.
Autism spectrum disorder prevalence and proximity to industrial facilities releasing arsenic, lead or mercury.external icon
Science of the Total Environment. July 2015.
Dickerson AS, Rahbar MH, Han I, Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Harrington RA, Pettygrove S, Durkin M, Kirby RS, Wingate MS, Tian LH, Zahorodny WM, Pearson DA, Moyé LA 3rd, Baio J.
Autism spectrum disorder symptoms among children enrolled in the Study to Explore Early Development (SEED).external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. June 2015 [Epub ahead of print]
Wiggins LD, Levy SE, Daniels J, Schieve L, Croen LA, DiGuiseppi C, Blaskey L, Giarelli E, Lee LC, Pinto-Martin J, Reynolds A, Rice C, Rosenberg CR, Thompson P, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Young L, Schendel D.
Does autism diagnosis age or symptom severity differ among children according to whether assisted reproductive technology was used to achieve pregnancy?external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. May 2015 [Epub ahead of print].
Schieve LA, Fountain C, Boulet SL, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Kissin DM, Jamieson DJ, Rice C, Bearman P.
Association between assisted reproductive technology conception and autism in California, 1997-2007.external icon
American Journal of Public Health. May 2015.
Fountain C, Zhang Y, Kissin DM, Schieve LA, Jamieson DJ, Rice C, Bearman P.
Trends in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, intellectual disability, and vision impairment, metropolitan atlanta, 1991-2010.external icon
PLoS One. April 2015.
Van Naarden Braun K, Christensen D, Doernberg N, Schieve L, Rice C, Wiggins L, Schendel D, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Comparison of perinatal risk factors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and co-occurring ASD and ID.external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. March 2015 [Epub ahead of print].
Schieve LA, Clayton HB, Durkin MS, Wingate MS, Drews-Botsch C.
Age at autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis by race, ethnicity, and primary household language among children with special health care needs, United States, 2009-2010.external icon
Maternal and Child Health Journal. February 2015 [Epub ahead of print]
Jo H, Schieve LA, Rice CE, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Tian LH, Blumberg SJ, Kogan MD, Boyle CA.
Association of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment and parental infertility diagnosis with autism in ART-conceived children.external icon
Human Reproduction. February 2015.
Kissin DM, Zhang Y, Boulet SL, Fountain C, Bearman P, Schieve L, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Jamieson DJ.
A review of the differences in developmental, psychiatric, and medical endophenotypes between males and females with autism spectrum disorder.external icon
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities. February 2015.
Rubenstein E, Wiggins LD, Lee LC.
2014
Using standardized diagnostic instruments to classify children with autism in the Study to Explore Early Development.external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. October 2014 [Epub ahead of print].
Wiggins LD, Reynolds A, Rice CE, Moody EJ, Bernal P, Blaskey L, Rosenberg SA, Lee LC, Levy SE.
Screening for developmental delays among young children—National Survey of Children’s Health, United States, 2007.
MMWR Surveillance Summaries. September 2014.
Rice CE, Van Naarden Braun, K, Kogan MD, Smith C, Kavanagh L, Stickland B, Blumberg SJ.
Brief Report: Independent validation of autism spectrum disorder case status in the Utah Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network site.external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. July 2014. [Epub ahead of print]
Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Carbone PS, Hunt TD, Petersen B, Rice CE.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2010. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2014;63(SS02);1-21.
Potential impact of DSM-5 criteria on autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimatesexternal icon.
JAMA Psychiatry. March 2014.
Maenner MJ, Rice CE, Arneson CL, Cunniff C, Schieve LA, Carpenter LA, Van Naarden Braun, Kirby RS, Bakian AV, Durkin MS.
Prevalence and impact of unhealthy weight in a national sample of US adolescents with autism and other learning and behavioral disabilitiesexternal icon.
Maternal and Child Health Journal. February 2014 [Epub ahead of print].
Phillips KL, Schieve LA, Visser S, Boulet S, Sharma AJ, Kogan MD, Boyle CA, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Population attributable fractions for three perinatal risk factors for autism spectrum disorders, 2002 and 2008 Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Networkexternal icon.
Annals of Epidemiology. January 2014.
Schieve LA, Tian LH, Baio J, Rankin K, Rosenberg D, Wiggins L, Maenner MJ, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Durkin M, Rice C, King L, Kirby RS, Wingate MS, Devine O.
2013
Prevalence of cerebral palsy, co-occurring autism spectrum disorders, and motor functioning – Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, USA, 2008.external icon
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. October 2013.
Christensen D, Van Naarden Braun K, Doernberg NS, Maenner MJ, Arneson CL, Durkin MS, Benedict RE, Kirby RS, Wingate MS, Fitzgerald R, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Recurrence of autism spectrum disorders in full- and half-siblings and trends over time: a population-based cohort study.external icon
JAMA Pediatrics. October 2013.
Grønborg TK, Schendel DE, Parner ET.
Childhood vision impairment, hearing loss and co-occurring autism spectrum disorder.external icon Disability and Health Journal. July 2013.
Kancherla V, Van Naarden Braun K, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Urbanicity and autism spectrum disorders.external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. June 2013.
Lauritsen MB, Astrup A, Pedersen CB, Obel C, Schendel DE, Schieve L, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Parner ET.
Mental health surveillance among children – United States, 2005-2011.external icon
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Surveillance Summaries. May 2013.
Perou R, Bitsko RH, Blumberg SJ, Pastor P, Ghandour RM, Gfroerer JC, Hedden SL, Crosby AE, Visser SN, Schieve LA, Parks SE, Hall JE, Brody D, Simile CM, Thompson WW, Baio J, Avenevoli S, Kogan MD, Huang LN.
Frequency and pattern of documents diagnostic features and the age of autism identificationexternal icon.
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. April 2013.
Maenner MJ, Schieve LA, Rice CE, Cunniff C, Giarelli E, Kirby RS, Lee LC, Nicholas JS, Wingate MS, Durkin MS.
Changes in prevalence of parent-reported autism spectrum disorder in school-aged U.S. children: 2007-2012. pdf icon[PDF – 163 KB]
National Health Statistics Reports. March 2013.
Blumberg SJ, Bramlett MD, Kogan MD, Schieve LA, Jones JR, Lu MC.
Prenatal valproate exposure and risk of autism spectrum disorders and childhood autism: a population-based studyexternal icon.
Journal of the American Medical Association. April 2013.
Christensen J, Grønborg TK, Sørensen MJ, Schendel D, Parner ET, Pedersen LH, Vestergaard M.
Evaluating changes in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorderspdf iconexternal icon.
Public Health Reviews. March 2013.
Rice CE, Rosanoff M, Dawson G, Durkin MS, PhD, Croen LA, PhD, Singer A, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Periconceptional folic acid and risk of autism spectrum disordersexternal icon.
Journal of the American Medical Association. February 2013.
Berry RJ, Crider KS, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Reclassified: A Second Look at the 1980s Utah/UCLA Autism Epidemiologic Studyexternal icon.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. January 2013.
Miller JS, Bilder D, Farley M, Coon H, Pinborough-Zimmerman J, Jenson W, Rice CE, Fombonne E, Pingree CB, Ritvo E, Ritvo RA, McMahon WM.
2012
Comparison of a broad-based screen versus disorder-specific screen in detecting young children with an autism spectrum disorder.external icon
Autism. December 2012.
Wiggins LD, Piazza V, Robins DL.
Predictors of ascertainment of autism spectrum disorders across nine US communities.external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. December 2012.
Pettygrove S, Pinborough-Zimmerman J, John Meaney F, Van Naarden Braun K, Nicholas J, Miller L, Miller J, Rice C.
Autism after infection, febrile episodes, and antibiotic use during pregnancy: an exploratory study.external icon Pediatrics. December 2012.
Atladóttir HÓ, Henriksen TB, Schendel DE, Parner ET.
Occurrence and family impact of elopement in children with autism spectrum disordersexternal icon.
Pediatrics. November 2012.
Anderson C, Law JK, Daniels A, Rice C, Mandell DS, Hagopian L, Law PA.
The Study to Explore Early Development (SEED): A Multisite Epidemiologic Study of Autism by the Centers for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology (CADDRE) Networkexternal icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. October 2012.
Schendel DE, Diguiseppi C, Croen LA, Fallin MD, Reed PL, Schieve LA, et al.
[Key Findings]
Short report: Improving record-review surveillance of young children with an autism spectrum disorderexternal icon. Autism. September 2012.
Wiggins LD, Robins DL, Yeargin-Allsopp M.
Patterns of contact with hospital for children with an autism spectrum disorder: a danish register-based studyexternal icon.
Journal of Autism Developmental Disorders. August 2012.
Atladóttir HO, Schendel DE, Lauritsen MB, Henriksen TB, Parner ET.
Using maternally reported data to investigate the association between early childhood infection and autism spectrum disorder: the importance of data sourceexternal icon.
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. July 2012.
Atladóttir HÓ, Henriksen TB, Schendel DE, Parner ET.
Retention of autism spectrum diagnoses by community professionals: findings from the autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 2000 and 2006external icon.
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. June 2012.
Wiggins LD, Baio J, Schieve L, Lee LC, Nicholas J, Rice CE.
Parent-Reported Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in US-Born Children: An Assessment of Changes within Birth Cohorts from the 2003 to the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Healthexternal icon
Maternal and Child Health Journal. April 2012.
Schieve LA, Rice C, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Boyle CA, Kogan MD, Drews C, and Devine O.
Concurrent medical conditions and health care use and needs among children with learning and behavioral developmental disabilities, National Health Interview Survey, 2006-2010.external icon
Research in Developmental Disabilities. March – April 2012.
Schieve LA, Jarquin VG, Boulet SL, Visser SN, Rice CE, Van Naarden Braun K, Boyle CA.
Parental Age and Autism Spectrum Disordersexternal icon
Annals of Epidemiology. March 2012.
Parner ET, Baron-Cohen S, Lauritsen MB, Jørgensen M, Schieve LA, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Obel C.
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 14 Sites, United States, 2008.
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. March 2012.
Corresponding author: Jon Baio, EdS, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, CDC. [Community Report pdf icon[PDF – 4 MB]]
Support for a dimensional view of autism spectrum disorders in toddlers.external icon
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. February 2012.
Wiggins LD, Robins DL, Adamson LB, Bakeman R, Henrich CC.
Association between parental nativity and autism spectrum disorder among US-born non-Hispanic white and Hispanic children, 2007 National Survey of Children’s Healthexternal icon
Disability and Health Journal. January 2012.
Schieve LA, Boulet SL, Blumberg SJ, Kogan MD, Yeargin-Allsopp M, Boyle CA, Visser SN, & Rice C.
Autism spectrum disorders and health care expenditures: The effects of co-occurring conditionsexternal icon
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. January 2012.
Peacock G, Amendah D, Ouyang L, Grosse S.
Past Articles
Click on one of the following links to see a list of developmental disabilities-related scientific articles from CDC authors:
- 2011 pdf icon[15 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
- 2010 pdf icon[15 KB, 1 Page, 508]
- 2009 pdf icon[14 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
- 2008 pdf icon[87 KB, 2 Pages, 508]
- 2007 pdf icon[87 KB, 1 Page, 508]
- 2006 pdf icon[85 KB, 1 Page, 508]
All Articles
Search a database of articles that have been published by CDC authors within the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities from 1990 to present.