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Original Research

Program: Section on Epidemiology, Public Health, and Evidence

P4.057: Rise in Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnoses: Analysis of Pre-pandemic and Pandemic Periods

Monday, September 29, 2025
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM MDT
Location: Colorado Convention Center, Four Seasons Ballroom 1 & 2
Poster Presentation
Background: This study analyzes the rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses by comparing pre-pandemic (2017-2019) and pandemic period (2021-2023) data from two private pediatric practices with different populations in New York. The year 2020 was out of the analysis to focus on the impact after the shutdowns on ASD, and there were disruptions in clinic operations during that year.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using de-identified patient numbers from the electronic medical records (EMR) of two private clinics. Only the numbers of new patients diagnosed each year were included from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019 (pre-pandemic), and January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023 (pandemic). Sixteen ASD International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes were included in this analysis. Patients with a prior diagnosis of ASD before the study periods were excluded to ensure that only new diagnoses were analyzed. Patients whose diagnoses did not fall under one of the 16 ASD ICD-10 codes were excluded from the analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to find important patterns and determine statistical significance.

Results: The study included 537 patients, 182 from Clinic I and 355 from Clinic II. Clinic I demonstrated a significant increase in ASD diagnoses, from 63 (pre-pandemic) to 119 (pandemic) (χ2=17.23; p=0.000033). Clinic II demonstrated a significant increase in ASD diagnoses, from 149 (pre-pandemic) to 206 (pandemic) (χ2=9.15; p=0.00248).

Conclusion: The significant increase in ASD diagnoses in two private pediatric practices with different populations indicates a notable association with the shutdown periods and the pandemic. The lockdowns during the pandemic may have contributed to the identification of previously overlooked ASD cases, as parents had more opportunities to observe developmental concerns. Factors such as disrupted routines, changes in access to healthcare services, and increased parental awareness may have further contributed to this rise. Further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on ASD diagnoses and care.