On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Baseline: 60.1 percent of children with ASD received special services by age 48 months, as reported in 2016-17
Target: 78.1 percent
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
From the 2016 through 2017 National Survey of Children's Health:
Numerator:
Has this child EVER received special services to meet his or her developmental needs such as speech, occupational, or behavioral therapy?- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
_ _ _ Years And Months
History
The denominator for this objective was changed to 4 through 8 years of age in July 2021. This allows for the full potential to receive services by 48 months and stops at 8 to restrict period effects as there have been major improvements in the timing of diagnosis and service receipt. For example, the proportion receiving services by 48 months drops in half with increasing age from 60.1% among 4-8 year olds to 32.8% among 9-11 year olds and 31.0% among 12-17 year olds with ASD. The previous Healthy People 2020 indicator was restricted to 8 year-olds. As a result, the base line was changed from 43.3 to 60.1, the target was changed from 53.3 to 78.1 and the target setting method was changed from Percent Improvement to Minimal Statistical Significance. While restricting the ages to 4-8 year olds reduces statistical reliability, the NSCH is continuing to increase sample size and all state-level estimates are either suppressed or unreliable regardless of definition. Any trends will be diluted by including all 4-17 year old children with ASD, some of whom would have started services more than 12 years prior, and would reduce the likelihood of target attainment.