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Research

Arkansas Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (AR ADDM)

Contents

  • What is AR ADDM?
  • What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
  • Newest Data on Autism Prevalence
  • What can we do with this information?
  • Identified Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arkansas – Year by Year
  • What is AR ADDM doing currently?
  • What services and support resources are available in Arkansas?
  • For more information
  • Who are our UAMS AR ADDM staff?

What is AR ADDM?

Arkansas Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (AR ADDM) is a program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to estimate the number of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities living in Arkansas. AR ADDM uses surveillance methods modeled after CDC’s Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP). The program includes investigators with UAMS and operates in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Department of Education to track the number and characteristics of children with ASD.

What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?

CDC: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. See www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html

Newest Data on Autism Prevalence

An estimated one in 66 Arkansas children (or 1.5 percent) has been identified as having ASD. This estimate is based on information collected from health and special education records of 8-year-old children living in Arkansas in 2016. As many as 1 in 57 (1.8 percent) children were identified with ASD in the 36-county area where both health and education records were reviewed.

CDC Press Release:  Autism prevalence slightly higher in CDC’s ADDM Network

MMWR Article:  Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2016

Community Report on Autism

We invite you to explore the interactive maps and graphs CDC offers with the Autism Data Visualization tool. The data presented through this online tool come from four different federal data sources and highlight changes over time in reported ASD prevalence estimates and in the characteristics of children identified with ASD.

What can we do with this information?

AR ADDM’s latest findings can be used to:

  • Promote early identification of ASD (e.g., Learn the Signs. Act Early.),
  • Plan for ASD services and training,
  • Guide future ASD research, and
  • Inform policies promoting improved outcomes in health care and education for individuals with ASD.

Stakeholders in Arkansas might consider different ways to reduce disparities in identification and lower the age of first evaluation and diagnosis by community providers.

Identified Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Arkansas – Year by Year

Click the tracking year for fact sheets with key findings and resources.

Surveillance/ Tracking Year Birth Year Arkansas Coverage Prevalence per 1,000 Children This is about 1 in X Children…
2002 1994 All 75 Counties

Health & Education sources

6.9 1 in 145
2008 2000 One County

Health & Education sources

10.5 1 in 95
2010 2002 All 75 counties

Health & Education sources

15.5 1 in 65
2012 2004 16 counties in central Arkansas

Health sources only

12.0 1 in 83
2014 2006 All 75 counties

Health & Education sources in 48 counties

13.1

15.5*

1 in 77

1 in 64*

2016 2008 All 75 counties

Health & Education sources in 36 counties

15.1

17.7*

1 in 66

1 in 57*

*Prevalence (2014 and 2016) was higher in the area where both health and education sources were reviewed.

What is AR ADDM doing currently?

AR ADDM continues tracking ASD for 2018 and 2020 in 21 counties in central Arkansas, adding 4- and 16-year-olds to the existing tracking of 8-year-olds: Arkansas Autism Program Receives $2.17 Million in Federal Funding January 17, 2019

What services and support resources are available in Arkansas?

First Connections. Services for children under the age of 3 years with developmental delays or disabilities.

1-800-643-8258 https://dhs.arkansas.gov/dds/firstconnectionsweb/#fc-home

Department of Education’s Special Education Unit. Special education services for children with disabilities, ages 3 to 21.

1-800-482-8437 https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/offices/special-education

Arkansas Autism Resource and Outreach Center. Support, education, and advocacy for families of individuals with ASD.

1-800-342-2923 www.aaroc.org

Dennis Development Center (DDC) and Schmieding Development Center (SDC). Diagnostic multidisciplinary team evaluations for children presenting with developmental and behavioral concerns. Provides comprehensive developmental assessments of children from birth to 21 years of age.

DDC 501-364-1830 SDC 479-750-0125

CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. Alan Mease, Arkansas’ Act Early Ambassador

amease@eqhs.org

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/index.html

Project Connect Resource Guide. Arkansas resources for families and professionals on child development and what to do if there is a concern.

https://cied.uark.edu/programs/special-education/pro-development-childrens/project-connect.php

Spotting Autism in Early Child Care Settings. Training for child care providers on identifying children at risk for being diagnosed with autism, available through Healthy Child Care Arkansas.

www.healthychildcareAR.org

Community-Based Autism Liaison and Treatment (CoBALT) Project. Comprehensive diagnostic assessments, early intervention services, and family support.

https://pediatrics.uams.edu/specialties/developmental-pediatrics/cobalt-program

Arkansas Transition Services. Assists students with disabilities, educators, parents, agency personnel and community members in preparing students to transition from school to adult life and reach positive post-school outcomes.

www.arkansastransition.com

For more information:

CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network

CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Homepage

Who are our UAMS AR ADDM staff?

Principal Investigator: Maya Lopez, M.D.

Project Coordinator: Allison E. Hudson, CRS

Assistant Project Coordinator/Abstractor: Yvette D. Schwenk, M.S., LPE-I

Abstractors: Stefanie L. Jernigan, Sandra K. Walker, J. Michelle Cantrell-Kelley

AR ADDM is committed to the highest standards of confidentiality and data security. Information that could potentially identify individuals is not included in any results reports or presentations.

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Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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