Study reveals Black children are more likely to receive autism diagnosis than previously thought.

It appears that there has been a rise in the number of autism cases in children, especially amongst Black kids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of autism in children aged 8 went up from one in 44 to one in 36 in 2020. This is thought to be linked to the disruption of health care services caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

New statistics suggest that around 3% of Black, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander children have been diagnosed with autism, which is not drastically higher than the 2% of white children who have received the same diagnosis. Experts believe this is due to more Black and Hispanic families being informed about the condition.

However, although families are more aware of autism, they are not necessarily getting the help they need. Autism is a neurological disorder that is usually characterised by delayed communication, learning and social skills, and an inclination towards a fixed routine. Whilst it is understood that genetics can play a role, it is unclear why it is more prevalent in some ethnic groups than others.





Experts suggest that parents familiarise themselves with the CDC's 'Learn the signs, act early' app which helps parents detect signs of autism in their children from as young as 2 months old, and tracks development milestones.

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