A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in New Jersey

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Findings from the New Jersey Autism Study help us to understand more about the number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the characteristics of those children and the age at which they are first evaluated and diagnosed.

SITE TRACKING AREA

1 in 35

Or 2.9% of 8-year-old children in New Jersey were identified with ASD by in 2020.

New Jersey: Chart showing 1 in 35 or 2.9% of 8-year-old children in New Jersey were identified with ASD by in 2020.

This is higher than the average identified with ASD (2.8%) across US communities where the ADDM Network tracked ASD among school-age children.

1 in 40

1 in 40 or 2.5% of 4-yearold children were identified with ASD by NJAS.

Tennessee: Chart showing among 4-year-old children, 1 in 36 or 2.8% were identified with ASD by TN-ADDM in 2020.

This percentage is higher than the overall average percent identified with ASD (2.2%) in all communities tracked by the CDC.

58% of 8-year-old children

were identified with ASD received a Comprehensive Developmental Evaluation by age 3 years.

New Jersey: Graphic showing 58% of 8-year-old children were identified with ASD received a Comprehensive Developmental Evaluation by age 3 years

Among NJAS 4-year-olds, Hispanic children were 1.9 times as likely to be identified with ASD and Black children were 1.4 times as likely to be identified
with ASD compared to White children.

New Jersey: Chart showing 4-year-olds identified with ASD by race

Values indicate prevalence per 1000.

Among 8-year-olds, Hispanic, and Black children were 1.7 times as likely to be identified with ASD as White children.

New Jersey: Chart showing 8-year-olds identified with ASD by race

Values indicate prevalence per 1000.

IQ data available for 63%
Of children identified with ASD by NJAS

New Jersey: Chart showing IQ data for children identified with ASD.

Children aged 4 years were 1.3 times as likely to receive an ASD diagnosis by 48 months of age compared to children aged 8 years in NJAS.

New Jersey: Chart showing children identified with ASD at 4 and 8 years-old.

New Jersey: Chart showing ASD evaluations pre and post COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of life, including the ability to evaluate children for autism. Before the pandemic, 4-year-old children had higher ASD identification than 8-year-old children had when they were aged 4 years. In the first few months of the pandemic, 4-year-old children were less likely to have an evaluation than 8-year-old children had when they were the same age.

What are the key take-away messages from NJAS data?

The ADDM Network ASD prevalence estimate was higher than the 2018 estimate.
2020 ASD prevalence estimates for 8-year-olds ranged from 2.3% (Maryland) to 4.5% (California). New Jersey had the third highest estimate (2.9%). These differences underscore the differences in ASD diagnoses across the ADDM Network.
ASD estimates for 4-year-olds ranged from 1.3% (Utah) to 4.6% (California), in 2020, indicating differences in ASD diagnosis across the ADDM Network.
Among 8-year-olds, the combined ADDM estimates showed ASD prevalence was higher for Black and Hispanic children compared with White children. More Black children with ASD also had intellectual disability compared with children from other racial ethnicity groups.

How can this information be useful?

The latest findings about ASD prevalence may be used to

Raise awareness of increasing ASD in the United States.
Quantify the scope of ASD across US regions.
Provide New Jersey-specific information for service planning.
Guide future research of ASD risk factors.

How and where was this information collected?

NJAS used a comprehensive record review method. Information is from 4- and 8-year-old old children who were diagnosed with ASD, as indicated in health and education records in two New Jersey counties, in 2020.

Tracking area
Essex, and Union counties

8-year-old children in tracking area: 18,940

27% White
31% Black
34% Hispanic
6% Asian or Pacific Islander
<1% American Indian or Alaska Native

4-year-old children in tracking area: 19,120

26% White
29% Black
35% Hispanic
6% Asian or Pacific Islander
<1% American Indian or Alaska Native

*Estimates may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

What else does the New Jersey Autism Study do besides provide ASD estimates?

“Rigorous surveillance research by the New Jersey Autism Study has provided a compelling foundation for statewide policy changes that have improved access to healthcare, education, treatment, and lifelong services. These supporting data and systemic changes are life-changing for children and adults with autism.”

– SUZANNE BUCHANAN, PsyD, BCBA-D
Executive Director, Autism New Jersey

Resources

AUTISM NEW JERSEY
Information, education, and policy initiatives related to ASD
800-4-AUTISM
www.autismnj.org

NJ EARLY INTERVENTION SYSTEM
Services for children under the age of 3 years with developmental delays or disabilities
www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/

AUTISM FAMILY SERVICES OF NEW JERSEY
Support services for families living with ASD
877-237-4477
www.autismfamilyservicesnj.org

NJ DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Special education services for school-aged children with disabilities
www.nj.gov/education/specialed/

MOM2MOM
24/7 peer-support for parents of children with special needs
877-914-6662
www.mom2mom.us.com

STATEWIDE PARENT ADVOCACY NETWORK
Support for parents, including parents of children with special needs
800-654-7726
https://spanadvocacy.org

NJ PARENT LINK
Early childhood, parenting, and professional resource center
https://nj.gov/njparentlink/

CDC’S LEARN THE SIGNS. ACT EARLY.
Deepa Srinivasavaradan New Jersey Act Early Ambassador
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/ambassadors-list.html

CONNECT WITH NJAS
Walter Zahorodny, PhD
Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School
185 South Orange Avenue, F570
Newark, New Jersey 07101
973-972-9773
zahorodn@njms.rutgers.edu