More women, young adults being diagnosed with autism

A large analysis of autism spectrum disorder diagnoses over more than 10 years finds significant increases in young adults, women, and children in some racial or ethnic groups. Led by Kaiser Permanente researchers, the study was published in JAMA Network Open. The analysis covered the years 2011 to 2022 at 12 integrated delivery sites of the eight health systems that participate in the Mental Health Research Network, covering up to 12 million people, Kaiser's Division of Research reported Oct. 30. The study found increases in autism diagnosis across the study period for all groups, and faster increases among certain groups. The autism diagnosis rate was highest among 5- to 8-year-olds and rose during the study period, from 2.3 per 1,000 in 2011 to 6.3 per 1,000 in 2022. Increases in diagnosis in children by ethnicity were higher among Hispanic children (315% increase) than non-Hispanic children (146%). By race, increases were greater among Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (428%), Black/African American (307%), and Asian (259%) children compared to white children (161%). Among adults, increases in diagnosis rates from 2011 to 2022 were greater among white adults (275%) than any other group. The study authors said the findings likely reflect both increased screening for autism along with other potential factors that should be explored in future research.