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

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.

Conflict of interest statement

POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Copyright © 2019 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Figures

Figure 1.. Prevalence of any developmental disability among children ages 3–17 years in the United States, 1997–2017

In 2000, the NHIS shifted from asking about only ADD to asking about ADD and ADHD. In 2008, the categorization for moderate to profound hearing loss was expanded to include “moderate trouble” hearing in addition to “a lot of trouble” hearing and deafness. In 2011, “mental retardation” was replaced with “intellectual disability, also known as mental retardation”. In addition, the autism categorization was expanded to include “autism spectrum disorder”. In 2014, the question on autism spectrum disorder became a standalone question with an expanded list of eligible conditions, including Asperger’s disorder and pervasive developmental disorder.