Cited by 1,217Down syndrome and intellectual disability researchAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchHealth and Medical Studies

Prevalence and Trends of Developmental Disabilities among Children in the United States: 2009–2017

Zablotsky, Benjamin, Black, Lindsey I., Maenner, Matthew J., Schieve, Laura A., Danielson, Melissa L., Bitsko, Rebecca H., Blumberg, Stephen J., Kogan, Michael D. +1 more·2019·Pediatrics

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To study the national prevalence of 10 developmental disabilities in US children aged 3 to 17 years and explore changes over time by associated demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, using the National Health Interview Survey. METHODS: Data come from the 2009 to 2017 National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative survey of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Parents reported physician or other health care professional diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; autism spectrum disorder; blindness; cerebral palsy; moderate to profound hearing loss; learning disability; intellectual disability; seizures; stuttering or stammering; and other developmental delays. Weighted percentages for each of the selected developmental disabilities and any developmental disability were calculated and stratified by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2011 and 2015 to 2017, there were overall significant increases in the prevalence of any developmental disability (16.2%–17.8%, P < .001), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (8.5%–9.5%, P < .01), autism spectrum disorder (1.1%–2.5%, P < .001), and intellectual disability (0.9%–1.2%, P < .05), but a significant decrease for any other developmental delay (4.7%–4.1%, P < .05). The prevalence of any developmental disability increased among boys, older children, non-Hispanic white and Hispanic children, children with private insurance only, children with birth weight ≥2500 g, and children living in urban areas and with less-educated mothers. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of developmental disability among US children aged 3 to 17 years increased between 2009 and 2017. Changes by demographic and socioeconomic subgroups may be related to improvements in awareness and access to health care.

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  • Developmental delays and disabilities are common in children, affecting up to 18% of children aged 3 to 17 years in the United States.

    “Developmental delays and disabilities are common in children, affecting up to 18% of children aged 3 to 17 years in the United States, according to recent national estimates.1”
  • In a large US parent report survey of 88,530 children aged 3-17, the rate of any neurodevelopmental condition was 12.6% in females and 22.7% in males.

    “In a large US parent report survey in 88,530 children aged 3–17 years, the rate of any neurodevelopmental condition, including ADHD, autism, speech fluency disorder (stuttering), learning disorders, intellectual disabilities or any other developmental delay was 12.6% in females and 22.7% in males12.”

    From Sex and gender in neurodevelopmental conditions (2023) · cites this paper as [12]

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Authors
Zablotsky, B., Black, L. I., Maenner, M. J., Schieve, L. A., Danielson, M. L., Bitsko, R. H., Blumberg, S. J., Kogan, M. D., & Boyle, C. A.
Affiliations
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US)
  • Health Resources and Services Administration (US)
Corresponding author
Zablotsky, Benjamin
Venue
Pediatrics
Published
2019-10-01
Volume
144
Issue
4
ISSN
  • 0031-4005 (ISSN-L)
  • 1098-4275
OpenAlex
W2976851556
Cited by
1,217
References
54
Citations by year
2026: 116 · 2025: 189 · 2024: 210 · 2023: 218 · 2022: 218 · 2021: 184 · 2020: 75 · 2019: 4 · 2012: 1
FWCI
111.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • PEDIATRICS (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (CC999999)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Down syndrome and intellectual disability research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Medical Studies
Keywords
developmental disabilities, prevalence trends, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, developmental delay, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, blindness, seizures, stuttering, socioeconomic disparities, demographic disparities, children, United States
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Age Factors, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Blindness, Cerebral Palsy, Child, Developmental Disabilities, Child, Preschool, Educational Status, Female, Humans, Male, Intellectual Disability, Population Dynamics, Seizures, Sex Factors, Socioeconomic Factors, Stuttering, United States, Prevalence, Insurance Coverage, Hearing Loss

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