Maybe your pediatrician mentioned an autism screening at your child’s last well visit, or maybe you’ve noticed things yourself—delayed speech, a strong preference for routine, or not responding to their name. Wherever you’re starting from, two questions usually come first: how common is autism, really, and who in Georgia can actually give us an answer? Both matter, and both have more concrete answers than the internet’s mix of outdated statistics usually suggests.

What to Do Today

• Ask your pediatrician directly for an autism-specific screening (like the M-CHAT) rather than waiting for it to come up—the AAP recommends screening at 18 and 24 months, but a screening is appropriate at any age if you have concerns.
• Start a running list of specific behaviors and examples (not just impressions)—specialists diagnosing autism rely heavily on concrete, observed examples, and a list saves you from trying to recall everything in the moment.
• If your pediatrician doesn’t offer a referral, contact Georgia’s Children 1st program or a Babies Can’t Wait office directly—you don’t need to wait for a referral to start that process.
• If you’re facing a long wait for an in-person evaluation, ask specifically about telehealth diagnostic options—Georgia has expanded these in recent years precisely to cut wait times.

How Common Is Autism in Georgia?

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by differences in social communication and a tendency toward restricted or repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. It’s called a “spectrum” because autistic children can have very different characteristics, strengths, challenges, and support needs.

Nationally, the CDC’s most recent surveillance data (published in 2025, based on 2022 data) identified autism in about 1 in 31 8-year-old children in the U.S. The increase in identified prevalence likely reflects several factors, including better awareness, more consistent screening, changing diagnostic practices, and improved identification among groups that were historically underdiagnosed.

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates autism affects roughly 1 in 100 children, though prevalence estimates vary widely by study and region. Limited access to screening, diagnosis, and data collection may contribute to lower reported rates in some settings.

Georgia’s numbers have followed a similar upward trend. CDC surveillance estimated that about 1 in 59 8-year-old children in Georgia’s ADDM surveillance area were identified with autism in 2014. By 2018, the Metropolitan Atlanta surveillance site estimated about 1 in 46. The national ADDM estimate that year was about 1 in 44, putting Georgia’s estimate close to the national rate. 

The most recent 2022 data from Georgia’s ADDM surveillance area also show differences by sex and race. Boys were identified at about 51 per 1,000, compared with 14 per 1,000 girls—more than three and a half times the rate. 

The racial and ethnic breakdown is also notable: about 39 per 1,000 Black children, 36 per 1,000 Asian or Pacific Islander children, 28 per 1,000 Hispanic children, and 24 per 1,000 White children were identified with autism. These differences may partly reflect improved identification among groups that have historically been underdiagnosed, along with differences in access to screening, evaluation, and services. 

Autism and Intellectual Disability

Autism and intellectual disability are related but distinct—many autistic people have no intellectual disability at all. In Georgia’s 2018 ADDM surveillance area, 38.5% of 8-year-old children identified with autism and with available IQ data had intellectual disability. About 18.4% had IQ scores in the borderline range, while 43.1% had scores above 85. 

These findings show that autism is identified across a wide range of cognitive abilities. They also reinforce why autism and intellectual disability should not be treated as interchangeable diagnoses.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Earlier diagnosis can mean earlier access to intervention, educational supports, communication services, and guidance for families. Early intervention can improve developmental and functional outcomes for some children—though results vary based on the child’s needs, the type and quality of intervention, treatment intensity, and access to services.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends developmental surveillance at every well-child visit, standardized developmental screening at 9, 18, and 30 months, and autism-specific screening at 18 and 24 months—even when parents have not raised concerns. Children should also be screened or referred for further evaluation when developmental concerns arise.

Early identification does not guarantee a particular outcome, but it can reduce delays in getting appropriate evaluation and support. If you or your child’s pediatrician notices developmental concerns, you do not need to wait for the next scheduled autism screening to discuss an evaluation or referral.

Who Diagnoses Autism in Georgia?

Autism diagnosis in Georgia may involve a multidisciplinary team or evaluation by a qualified clinician, depending on your child’s needs and where the evaluation takes place. The process may involve a developmental pediatrician, licensed psychologist, child neurologist, speech-language pathologist, or other specialists. A formal diagnosis is generally made by a qualified licensed clinician, commonly a psychologist or physician, using current DSM criteria.

The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), is one of the most widely used tools in autism evaluations. It evaluates communication, social interaction, play, and certain repetitive behaviors through structured observation. The ADOS-2 does not diagnose autism on its own—the clinician interprets the results alongside your child’s developmental history, caregiver information, clinical observations, and other assessments.

It’s typically used alongside other assessments covering cognitive ability, language development, motor skills, and adaptive behavior. Together, these assessments provide a clearer picture of your child’s strengths and support needs—not just a yes-or-no answer.

Challenges Families Face Getting a Diagnosis

Access isn’t always straightforward. Long wait times, a limited number of specialists relative to demand, and cost and distance from a qualified evaluator are common barriers—particularly in rural parts of Georgia, where fewer providers with autism expertise are available. None of this reflects anything about your child or your situation; it reflects a system that hasn’t kept pace with demand, which is exactly why it’s worth exploring every available access point rather than waiting for the most obvious one.

Support Services and Programs in Georgia

Georgia has several programs that can help families access autism screening, diagnosis, early intervention, treatment, and family support.

• Autism Access and Innovation: Georgia’s Autism Access and Innovation program connects families with screening, diagnostic, intervention, family support, and transition resources for children and youth with autism from birth through age 21.
• Children 1st: This statewide program provides developmental screening and connects families with health, early intervention, and community resources for children from birth through their fifth birthday.
• Babies Can’t Wait: Georgia’s early-intervention program serves children from birth until their third birthday who have a qualifying diagnosed condition, such as autism, or a qualifying developmental delay. A formal autism diagnosis is not always required—eligibility can also be based on documented developmental delay.
• Parent to Parent of Georgia: This organization connects families of children with disabilities or special health-care needs with information, resources, and peer support—including trained parents who have navigated similar services.
• Georgia Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids: Georgia Medicaid covers autism assessment and treatment services for eligible individuals under 21 when program and medical-necessity requirements are met. PeachCare families should confirm their plan’s autism benefits, provider network, and prior-authorization requirements—coverage rules may differ from Medicaid.

Which program is right for your child depends on their age, needs, and eligibility—your pediatrician or local Georgia DPH office can help you determine where to start. 

Let’s Get You an Answer, Not Just a Wait List

Whether you’re just starting to wonder or you’ve been searching for an evaluator for weeks, you don’t have to figure out Georgia’s diagnosis system alone. Treetop offers free autism screenings and can help you identify the next step—whether that’s pursuing a diagnostic evaluation, connecting with an early intervention program, or starting ABA therapy once a diagnosis is in hand.

Get Started or Find a Location

References

CDC. Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADDM Network, 2022 (MMWR, 2025). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm

CDC. ADDM Network Sites, Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (MADDSP). https://www.cdc.gov/autism/addm-network/sites.html

CDC. Clinical Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://www.cdc.gov/autism/hcp/diagnosis/screening.html

CDC. Making an Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/making-autism-diagnosis-P.pdf

CDC. Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, Georgia 2018 Community Report. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/123070

Georgia Department of Public Health. Autism Access and Innovation. https://dph.georgia.gov/child-health/autism-access-innovation

Georgia Department of Public Health. Children 1st. https://dph.georgia.gov/children1st

Georgia Department of Public Health. Babies Can’t Wait. https://dph.georgia.gov/babies-cant-wait

Georgia Department of Community Health. Autism Spectrum Disorder. https://medicaid.georgia.gov/programs/all-programs/autism-spectrum-disorder

Parent to Parent of Georgia. Parent and Family Support. https://www.p2pga.org/support/