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In other words, the disease has been reported in 2.5% of children, or about 1.5 million children aged 3 to 17 years.
"What's happening is that these studies use slightly more liberal and inclusive methods than the CDC methods," said Frazier, adding that he preferred the CDC figures but understood "that They are probably a bit conservative ".
The new study is based on the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health, conducted by the US Census Bureau, which has collected information from parents of more than 50,000 children under 17 years of age. To be included in the estimate, parents should have reported that their child has already been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and that he is currently suffering from the disease.
The new figures were also slightly lower than those of the National Health Interview Survey conducted in 2017. It estimated that 2.76% of children had already received such a diagnosis, which the authors of the new note report have a broader definition.
The fact that the new study is based on parental statements – which are not validated by health and education records, as in the CDC report – may be a limitation despite the breadth of research, according to the authors.
Frazier said the figure of 1 in 40 is "generally consistent with previous parent surveys and other direct prevalence studies in which researchers are directly looking for autism and trying to identify it." ".
The parents of the new study also reported more difficulties in getting the health care their children need, compared to those with Down syndrome or other behavioral disorders, such as anxiety disorder. hyperactivity with deficit of attention.
"Although we have seen progress in recent years, this confirms what we know about our parents, namely that many children face unacceptable delays in obtaining a diagnostic assessment, even after parents, teachers or teachers have been diagnosed with it. Other people having recognized the signs of autism, "said Frazier. I said.
In the new study, more than one-quarter of children with autism spectrum disorders were taking medications to treat the symptoms of the disease, and nearly two-thirds received "behavioral treatments" in the past year, says Dr. 39; study.
It also found a higher prevalence of autism spectrum disorders among certain groups such as boys, children of single mothers, and households living below the federal poverty line, compared to those at least four times higher than this group. income threshold.
The differences between the figures of the new study and those of the CDC study could be explained by the years they were conducted, the age of the children studied and their place of residence, according to the new study.
The CDC report was based on data collected in 11 communities across the country but was not necessarily representative at the national level, according to Daisy Christensen, co-author of this report, who is responsible for surveillance within the sector. developmental disorders of the National Center for Birth Defects and CDC Developmental Disorders. .
Autistic Spectrum Disorders, a lifelong developmental disability, are characterized by communication and social interaction problems with repetitive behavioral patterns.
The authors note that it is difficult to compare the new report with previous versions due to updates of how the survey collected its data and wording questions.
"We can not say what proportion was explained by the changes in the internal investigation rather than by external factors," the authors wrote.
However, the report comes as the estimated prevalence of this disorder has been increasing for decades.
"In the 80s and 90s, diagnostic criteria were expanded to include more children," said Christensen, "so I think it's definitely a possibility for the increase that we have found ".
In the past, more than half of the children identified with autism also had an intellectual disability, and now, it's about a third, she said. "And that really fits with the identification of kids who may be at the lower end of the spectrum."
The authors of the new study also note that universal screening recommendations made in the 2000s may have led to an increase in prevalence among younger children, for example.
"Because there is no biological marker, [autism spectrum disorder] is a particularly difficult condition to follow, "note the authors.
But understanding how common it is is for health experts to distribute resources and provide families with the help they need, according to Frazier.
"Having prevalence estimates – even if there are variations – helps us advocate for improved screening, diagnosis, interventions and support," he said. .
Susan Scutti from CNN contributed to this report.
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