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
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
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.
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.
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.