Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), published a study in “Pediatrics” titled “Trends in the Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities in U.S. Children, 1997–2008.”
This study examined the prevalence of developmental disabilities among children in the United States and specific populations over a 12-year period.
You can access the abstract here.
A summary of the key findings from this study is provided below.
Central findings from the study:
Findings from the study indicate that developmental disabilities (DDs) are prevalent, affecting approximately 1 in 6 children in the U.S. between 2006 and 2008.
The data also reveal a 17.1% rise in parent-reported DD cases from 1997 to 2008.
These results highlight the growing demand for health, education, and social services, as well as the need for more specialized healthcare for individuals with DDs.
1. The occurrence of any DD between 1997 and 2008 was 13.87%.
- The prevalence of learning disabilities was found to be 7.66%.
- The prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was found to be 6.69%.
- The prevalence of other developmental delays was 3.65%.
- The prevalence of autism was estimated to be 0.47%.
2. Over the last 12 years, the:
- The prevalence of developmental disabilities (DDs) increased by
- 17.1%, meaning approximately 1.8 million more children were affected by DDs in 2006–2008 compared to a decade earlier.
- The prevalence of autism rose by 289.5%.
- The prevalence of ADHD rose by 33.0%.
- The prevalence of hearing loss declined by 30.9%.
3. Additionally, the findings from this study indicated:
- Males exhibited twice the prevalence of any developmental disability compared to females and, more specifically, had higher rates of ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, stuttering/stammering, and other developmental disabilities.
- Hispanic children had a lower prevalence of several disorders, including ADHD and learning disabilities, compared to non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black children.
- Non-Hispanic Black children exhibited a higher rate of stuttering or stammering compared to non-Hispanic White children.
- Children insured by Medicaid had almost twice the prevalence of any developmental disability compared to those with private insurance.
- Children from families with incomes below the federal poverty level were more likely to have developmental disabilities.
To gain a clearer understanding of the rising prevalence, future research should explore how increases in known risk factors, shifts in awareness and acceptance of conditions, and the advantages of early intervention services contribute to this trend.
About developmental disabilities and this study:
Developmental disabilities encompass a wide range of serious, lifelong conditions caused by mental and/or physical impairments.
Individuals with these disabilities may experience challenges in key life skills, including communication, movement, learning, self-care, and independent living.
These conditions can emerge at any point during development, from infancy to age 22, and typically persist throughout a person’s life.
In this study, researchers sought to assess the prevalence of developmental disabilities (DD) among U.S. children overall and within specific populations from 1997 to 2008.
They examined data from the National Health Interview Surveys conducted during this period.
The study included a total of 119,367 children between the ages of 3 and 17.
Parents or legal guardians were asked whether their child had any of the following conditions:
- ADHD
- Autism
- Blindness
- Cerebral palsy
- Moderate to profound hearing loss
- Intellectual disability
- Learning disorders
- Seizures
- Stuttering or stammering, or any other developmental delay.