Key points
- CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network tracked autism among children aged 4 and 8 at 16 sites in 2022.
- Among 8-year-olds, the Pennsylvania site reported 47.4 per 1,000 and the Arizona site 31.3 per 1,000, against 32.2 per 1,000 across all sites.
- West Virginia was not one of the 16 sites, so the CDC report has no West Virginia figure.
- Each figure covers one local area, not the whole state, and counts children identified in records, not every autistic child.
- CDC says differences between sites are likely due to factors such as diagnostic practices and access to services.
Where these numbers come from
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, which tracks the number and characteristics of children with autism in communities across the United States. It has tracked 8-year-old children since 2000.
The most recent full report, for the 2022 surveillance year, was published by CDC in 2025. It covered 16 sites in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas (two sites, Austin and Laredo), Utah and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania joined the network in its current funding phase.
ADDM does not test children. Sites review health and education records. A child is counted if they ever had an autism diagnostic statement in a developmental evaluation, autism special education eligibility, or an autism diagnosis code in their records.
The figures for Pennsylvania and Arizona
Here is what the 2022 report prints for the two sites in our states. Each figure is for one local area, not the whole state.
- Pennsylvania (one county in suburban Philadelphia): 47.4 per 1,000 children aged 8 years were identified with autism, the second highest of the 16 sites. Among children aged 4 years, the figure was 42.7 per 1,000.
- Arizona (part of one county in metropolitan Phoenix): 31.3 per 1,000 children aged 8 years. Among children aged 4 years, the figure was 19.4 per 1,000. The report says Arizona's 8-year-old figure was similar to 2020.
- Boys and girls: at the Pennsylvania site, 72.4 per 1,000 boys and 21.6 per 1,000 girls aged 8; at the Arizona site, 48.3 per 1,000 boys and 13.7 per 1,000 girls aged 8.
- Age at diagnosis: among 8-year-olds with an autism diagnostic statement, the median age at earliest known diagnosis was 39 months at the Pennsylvania site and 45 months at the Arizona site.
What about West Virginia
West Virginia was not one of the 16 ADDM sites in 2022, and the CDC report gives no West Virginia figure. That does not mean autism is more or less common there. It only means this monitoring system did not collect data there.
It would not be accurate to borrow another state's number for West Virginia. If you live in West Virginia, the network-wide figures below are a general reference, nothing more.
How the sites compare with the network
Across all 16 sites in 2022, CDC reports 32.2 per 1,000 children aged 8 years identified with autism, which is about 1 in 31. Site figures ranged from 9.7 per 1,000 in Laredo, Texas, to 53.1 per 1,000 in California. For children aged 4 years, the combined figure was 29.3 per 1,000.
CDC's data page also notes that autism is reported in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, and that it is over 3 times more common among boys than girls.
What the numbers do and do not mean
These figures are useful for planning services, but they are easy to over-read. Keep these points in mind:
- They are not statewide. Each site covers one local area, so the Pennsylvania figure describes one suburban Philadelphia county, not all of Pennsylvania.
- They count identified children. A child who is autistic but has never been evaluated or recorded would not be counted.
- They do not show risk. The report states that research has not shown that living in certain communities puts children at greater risk for autism.
- Differences often reflect access. CDC says differences across sites are likely due to factors including diagnostic practices and access to services. The report notes, for example, that Pennsylvania has a state Medicaid policy covering children with disabilities regardless of parents' income.
- They say nothing about one child. A population figure cannot tell you whether your child, or you, is autistic.
If you are wondering about your child, and how we can help
The most useful next step is a careful look at the person in front of you. The National Institute of Mental Health says autism can be diagnosed at any age, and that caregivers should talk with their child's health care provider about screening or evaluation. Our free autism signs checklist can help you decide whether to talk to someone; it is an informal checklist, not a screening test, it is not validated and it cannot diagnose.
Locascio Wellness offers a child and teen autism evaluation by secure video. Evaluations are offered only to people physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona, and for anyone under 18 a parent or guardian arranges it and takes part. Evaluations are private-pay with a sliding scale; see what evaluations cost, and start with the short evaluation request form or a free 15-minute consultation on our booking page.
We do not offer an autism therapy service, ABA, speech or occupational therapy. Therapists on our team offer child therapy and anxiety therapy by secure video, with a therapist licensed where you live. A diagnosis may also open other supports that families arrange with their doctor or school. In a crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.
Common questions
Does the CDC have an autism figure for West Virginia?
Not from the ADDM Network. West Virginia was not one of the 16 sites in the 2022 report, so the report prints no West Virginia figure. The network-wide figure of 32.2 per 1,000 children aged 8 is a general reference only, and it should not be read as a West Virginia estimate.
Why is the Pennsylvania figure higher than Arizona's?
The report does not say autism is more common in one place. CDC says differences across sites likely reflect factors such as diagnostic practices and access to services, and the report points to Pennsylvania's Medicaid policy for children with disabilities as one possible influence on identification. The two figures also cover small local areas, not whole states.
Do these numbers include adults or teens?
No. The 2022 figures cover children aged 4 and 8 years. They do not describe teens or adults in Pennsylvania, Arizona or anywhere else. NIMH notes that autism can be diagnosed at any age, so many people are identified later than the ages these figures cover.
If my child shows signs of autism, what do these numbers tell me?
Nothing about your child specifically. They describe groups of children in particular areas. If you are concerned, talk with your child's doctor, and consider an evaluation. Our free checklist can help you organize what you have noticed, and a free 15-minute consultation is a good place to ask questions first.
Sources
- CDC MMWR: Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years, ADDM Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: ADDM Network Sites
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions about Autism Spectrum Disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published by Locascio Wellness. Published October 23, 2026. Clinically reviewed by Anthony Locascio, PsyD, LPC. This page is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis.