The CDC's latest ADDM surveillance identifies autism in 1 in 31 US 8-year-olds (about 3.2%). New Jersey is higher still at 1 in 29, among the highest of all surveillance sites. Boys are identified about 3.4 times as often as girls, and most children are still not diagnosed until after age 4.
How common is autism in 2026?
The most current national estimate comes from the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, which reviews the health and education records of 8-year-olds at 16 surveillance sites. The latest report, published in April 2025 using 2022 surveillance data, found that 1 in 31 children (3.2%) had been identified with autism spectrum disorder. That is up from 1 in 36 in the previous cycle.
ADDM measures identified prevalence: children whose records document an autism diagnosis, special education classification, or ICD autism code. It is the most rigorous recurring count in the United States, which is why nearly every autism statistic you see traces back to it.
Autism prevalence over time
Identified prevalence has climbed steadily since ADDM began reporting:
| Surveillance year | Identified prevalence |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 in 150 |
| 2008 | 1 in 88 |
| 2012 | 1 in 69 |
| 2016 | 1 in 54 |
| 2018 | 1 in 44 |
| 2020 | 1 in 36 |
| 2022 | 1 in 31 |
That is roughly a five-fold increase in identified prevalence in about two decades.
Why are autism rates rising?
Researchers attribute much of the increase to better identification rather than only more autism: broader diagnostic criteria, universal screening at pediatric visits, greater awareness among parents and teachers, and improved identification of girls and children of color. Notably, the two most recent ADDM cycles found autism identified at higher rates among Black and Hispanic children than white children, reversing decades of under-identification.
Whether true underlying prevalence is also rising remains an open research question. What decades of large studies have consistently shown is that vaccines do not cause autism.
New Jersey: consistently among the highest rates
New Jersey's ADDM site identified autism in 1 in 29 8-year-olds, and 1 in 27 4-year-olds born in 2018. New Jersey has ranked at or near the top of every ADDM cycle, which experts largely credit to the state's strong identification systems: thorough education records, robust early screening, and dense pediatric specialist networks.
For a deeper local breakdown, see our New Jersey autism prevalence statistics.
Diagnosis facts every parent should know
- Autism can be reliably diagnosed by age 2, yet the median age of diagnosis in ADDM data remains around 47 months.
- Boys are identified about 3.4 times as often as girls.
- Roughly 4 in 10 children identified with autism also have an intellectual disability.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screening for every child at the 18 and 24 month visits.
What this means for New Jersey families
With 1 in 29 children identified, demand for autism services in counties like Bergen County, Essex County, and Middlesex County continues to outpace capacity, and clinic waitlists are common. Families who act early, at first concern rather than after months of waiting, give their child the biggest advantage the research consistently supports: an earlier start.
Liftoff ABA provides in-home ABA therapy across New Jersey with no waitlist. We verify insurance for free, and most families start within weeks. Apply here or call us to talk it through.
Sources
- CDC ADDM Community Report on Autism (2022 surveillance year)
- CDC: Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder
- CDC MMWR Surveillance Summary, April 2025
- Autism New Jersey: Prevalence Rates
Frequently asked questions
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Is autism more common in New Jersey?
Why do autism rates keep rising?
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