A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Utah
- Executive Summary
- Key Findings from the ADDM Network
- A Deeper Dive
- Spotlight On Closing the Racial and Ethnic Gaps in the Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Spotlight On Progress in Evaluation and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Data for Action
- ADDM Network Site Snapshots Overview
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arizona
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arkansas
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in California
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Georgia
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Maryland
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Minnesota
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Missouri
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in New Jersey
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Tennessee
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Utah
- A Snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Wisconsin
- Glossary
- References
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Findings from the Utah Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (UT-ADDM) program 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.
Or 2.2% of 8-year-old children were identified with ASD in a three-county area in Utah by UT-ADDM in 2018
This percentage is similar to the average percentage identified with ASD (2.3%) in all communities in the United States where CDC tracked ASD among 8-year-olds in 2018.
of 8-year-old children identified with ASD
of 4-year-old children identified with ASD
Were 3.6x as likely to be identified with ASD as girls
Half of 8-year-old children identified with ASD were diagnosed
or 0.9% of 4-year-old children were identified with ASD in a three-county area in Utah by UT-ADDM in 2018
This percentage is lower than the average percentage identified with ASD (1.7%) in all communities in the United States where CDC tracked ASD in 2018.
Children who were born in 2014 were just as likely to be identified with ASD by 48 months of age as children born in 2010
Cumulative incidence of ASD identified per 1000 children.
What are the key take-away messages?
- UT-ADDM last participated in the ADDM Network in 2012. Utah’s estimated prevalence of ASD identified among 8-year-old children increased from 1.7% in 2012 to 2.2% in 2018.
- As in 2012, ASD prevalence in 2018 was higher among non-Hispanic White than Hispanic children at age 8, but not at age 4. This difference could suggest difficulties for this population in accessing diagnostic or educational services for children who are identified after age 4, such as those less likely to have co-occurring intellectual disability.
- The percentage of children with ASD receiving an ASD diagnosis by 48 months did not differ between 4- and 8-year-olds. This provides evidence to support our pediatric community’s efforts to re-evaluate ASD screening protocols and expand ASD diagnostic strategies in Utah to improve early identification of ASD.
What changes occurred between 2012 and 2018 that may have influenced changes in Utah’s ASD prevalence rates?
In 2012, 2014, and 2017 the Utah legislature passed legislation that significantly reduced financial barriers to receiving autism treatment. Improving the affordability of ASD treatment may have increased access to autism services for more children to receive an ASD diagnosis.
How can this information be useful?
UT-ADDM’s latest findings can be used to:
- Promote new initiatives aimed at fostering earlier identification of ASD.
- Plan for ASD services and training.
- Guide future ASD research.
- Inform policies promoting improved outcomes in health care and education for individuals with ASD.
What else does UT-ADDM do besides provide estimates of ASD?
- UT-ADDM’s prevalence data are provided to our valued partners and used by them to support legislative initiatives that improve services for persons with ASD, such as the autism services legislation and the adult autism treatment program. UT-ADDM is leading projects to improve our knowledge of disparities in ASD recognition by race/ethnicity across the ADDM Network.
How and where was this information collected?
UT-ADDM uses a record review method. Specifically, this information is based on the analysis of data collected from the health and special education records of children who were 4 years old and 8 years old and living in one of 3 counties in Utah in 2018.
Tracking area
Salt Lake, Davis, and Tooele counties
8-year-old children in tracking area: 25,459
- 71% White
- 3% Black
- 21% Hispanic
- 43% Asian or Pacific Islander
- <1% American Indian or Alaska Native
4-year-old children in tracking area: 25,064
- 71% White
- 3% Black
- 21% Hispanic
- 5% Asian or Pacific Islander
- <1% American Indian or Alaska Native
*Estimates may not sum to 100% due to rounding
“We rely on Utah Registry of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (URADD) data when we advocate on behalf of families of children with autism. Our policymakers trust URADD’s accuracy and reliability as they plan autism services across our state.”
– CHERYL SMITH
Founder and Past President, Autism Council of Utah
Resources
UTAH REGISTRY OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (URADD)
Utah ADDM site and research center
www.medicine.utah.edu/psychiatry/research/labs/uradd/external icon
UTAH PARENT CENTER
Support for parents of children with special needs
1-800-468-1160
www.utahparentcenter.orgexternal icon
AUTISM COUNCIL OF UTAH
Information and advocacy for families
autismcouncilofutah@gmail.com
www.autismcouncilofutah.orgexternal icon
UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S BUREAU OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS
Provides information about a range of services and resources
(801) 273-2800
www.health.utah.gov/cshcn/external icon
HELP ME GROW UTAH
Information referral helpline and free screening services
(801) 691-5322
www.helpmegrowutah.orgexternal icon
BABY WATCH EARLY INTERVENTION
Services for children under the age of 3 years with developmental delays or disabilities
(801) 273-2800
www.utahbabywatch.orgexternal icon
CDC’S LEARN THE SIGNS.
ACT EARLY.
Janel Preston
Utah Act Early Ambassador
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/ambassadors-list.html
www.idrpp.usu.edu/act-early-utah/indexexternal icon
CONNECT WITH UT-ADDM
Amanda V. Bakian, PhD
Deborah Bilder, MD
UT-ADDM Principal Investigators
University of Utah
(801) 213-2881
amanda.bakian@hsc.utah.edu
deborah.bilder@hsc.utah.edu