WISADDS image

The Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities System (WISADDS) is part of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network funded through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). WISADDS is a multi-source public health surveillance project that monitors the prevalence of autism spectrums disorders (ASDs), cerebral palsy (CP), and co-occurring intellectual disability (ID) in 4- and 8-year-old children within an 8-county area in southeastern Wisconsin.

ASD Prevalence, 2020

The information below represents a portion of the results from the 2020 survey of ASD Prevalence in 8-year-old children. A complete factsheet is available here.

  • Number of children identified with ASDs: 808
  • Total prevalence of ASDs: 1 in 36 (2.8%)
    • Boys: 1 in 23
    • Girls: 1 in 77
  • Race/Ethnicity
    • Hispanic: 1 in 28
    • White: 1 in 39
    • Black: 1 in 42
    • Asian or Pacific Islander: 1 in 34
    • Two or more races: 1 in 33
  • Documented Comprehensive Developmental Evaluation
    • More than half (58%) identified with ASD received a comprehensive developmental evaluation by age 3 years

Site Information

Part of Wisconsin included in ADDM highlighted in green, 2020.

8 counties: Dane, Green, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Rock, Walworth, and Waukesha

 

 

8-year-old children in tracking area: 28,789
• 55% White
• 17% Black
• 17% Hispanic
• 6% Asian or Pacific Islander
• 3% American Indian or Alaska Native
• 5% Multiracial

4-year-old children in tracking area: 28,852
• 54% White
• 18% Black
• 17% Hispanic
• 6% Asian or Pacific Islander
• 0% American Indian or Alaska Native
• 5% Multiracial

“This report underscores the importance of autism in our community. For the past 50 years,
Waisman Center researchers, clinicians, educators and community partners have worked to
advance our understanding of autism and other developmental disabilities and to improve
outcomes over the life course for individuals and families in Wisconsin. During this time, we
have seen steady increases in the number of children on the autism spectrum and the need
for services. We are grateful to be a part of the ADDM Network and to have this information
on the prevalence of autism in our population and across the nation.” –

QIANG CHANG, PhD
Professor of Medical Genetics and Neurology, Director, Waisman Center, University Of WisconsinMadison