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, 2022
The information below represents a portion of the results from the 2022 survey of ASD Prevalence in 8-year-old children. Click here to view a Snapshot of Autism in Wisconsin, 2022..
- Number of children identified with ASDs: 1,078
- Total prevalence of ASDs: 1 in 26 (3.8%)
- The percentage of 8-year-old children identified with autism increased in southeastern Wisconsin, from 2.8% in 2020 to 3.8% in 2022.
- Among both 4-year-old and 8-year-old children, boys were more likely to be identified with autism than girls.
- Only 53% of 8-year-old children identified with autism received a comprehensive developmental evaluation by age 3 years.
- Autism prevalence among 8-year-olds was higher among children living in lower-income neighborhoods compared with those in higher-income neighborhoods.
Site Information
Learn more about the Wisconsin ADDM Network here.
Part of Wisconsin included in ADDM highlighted in red, 2022.
8 counties: Dane, Green, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Rock, Walworth, and Waukesha.
8-year-old children in tracking area: 28,098
• 55% White
• 17% Black
• 17% Hispanic
• 6% Asian or Pacific Islander
• 5% Multiracial
• <1% American Indian or Alaska Native
4-year-old children in tracking area: 27,042
• 54% White
• 18% Black
• 17% Hispanic
• 6% Asian or Pacific Islander
• 5% Multiracial
• <1% American Indian or Alaska Native
“As the incidence of autism continues to increase, the WISADDS snapshot gives a glimpse of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder in one part of Wisconsin and the growing need for specialized educational services and supports for Wisconsin students with autism as well as the increasing need for training and supports for their teachers.”
— Patti Williams, Director, Special Education Team
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
“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 Wisconsin-Madison