CDC: One in Every 110 American Children is Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder; 1:98 in Georgia  

According to the CDC’s recent report, the prevalence of autism diagnosis is rising.

According to the CDC, one in every 110 American children is being diagnosed with autism and related disorders, including 1 in 70 boys. This represents a 57 percent increase from 2002 to 2006, and a 600 percent increase in just the past 20 years.  Additionally, the prevalence of diagnosis is even higher in Georgia, as one in every 98 children are diagnosed. 

This increase in the number of children being diagnosed with autism only reinforces the decision Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta made in 2008 to become more involved in treatment for children with autism and related disorders by establishing Marcus Autism Center, formerly Marcus Institute. Children’s recognized the increasing scope and scale of autism and decided to partner with Bernie and Billi Marcus to expand access to these much-needed services.

Marcus Autism Center is part of the Atlanta Autism Consortium, a group of Atlanta-based researchers uniting the various activities with respect to autism research in the Atlanta area. It is a unique group committed to sharing knowledge for the greater good and transforming the lives of children with autism.

Together, we are building a Comprehensive Autism Center to bring experts and advocates together to solve the puzzles and challenges associated with autism spectrum disorders. In collaboration with key academic and statewide organizations, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Marcus Autism Center will lead the field in delivering excellence in clinical care, expanding research efforts and advocating for improved outcomes for children with autism and related disorders. 

As the number of children diagnosed with autism and related disorders continues to grow, so do the needs of Marcus Autism Center. It costs more than $10 million annually to operate Marcus Autism Center, and we rely on community support to help provide the services and treatments this growing number of children with autism needs and deserves.