DHDD Newsletter – March/April 2023

In the Spotlight

CDC’s New Autism Report Finds Higher Prevalence, Shifting Demographics

CDC released two new reports from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Findings include new patterns in prevalence by race/ethnicity and a novel analysis showing dramatic impacts of COVID-19 on early evaluation and identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Established in 2000, the ADDM Network is the only network to track the number and characteristics of children with ASD and other developmental disabilities in multiple communities throughout the United States. Materials and resources, including the 2023 Community Report, are now online at www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/new-data.html.

Easy-to-Read Content

Tools and Resources

New! Easy Read Content Portal

Easy Read summaries take difficult information and make it easier to understand. Check out DHDD’s new Easy Read portal. It’s your one-stop shop for all of our easy-to-read summaries! The summaries on this page were developed for people with disabilities and their caregivers, but they can be beneficial for all audiences to use. You can access the portal here. Please share with your networks!

Cerebral Palsy Awareness

March is National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood, and children with CP and their families need support. The recently signed Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, provides support to CDC to re-establish CP surveillance within its existing Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.

Here are 11 Things to Know about Cerebral Palsy.

Supporting Women with Disabilities to Achieve Optimal Health

An estimated 37.5 million women in the United States report having a disability. Women with disabilities require health care and health programs for the same reasons anyone else does—to stay well, active, and a part of the community. The conditions in which we are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age, known as social determinants of health – have a profound impact on health. Social determinants of health can magnify or diminish health disparities and challenges with accessing care for women with disabilities. Learn more about the challenges women with disabilities experience and how you can help support women with disabilities to achieve their optimal health.

Publications

ADDM Network Expands Surveillance to identify Healthcare Needs and Transition Planning for Youth

In this first ADDM Network report on children aged 16 years with ASD, CDC marks an expansion of ASD surveillance to help communities identify health care needs and gaps in transition planning for adulthood among youth with ASD. In 2018, five of CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network sites (Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Utah, and Wisconsin) began monitoring autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among 16-year-old adolescents who were initially identified as having characteristics of ASD in 2010. Read the key findings: Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Diagnostic Patterns, Co-occurring Conditions, and Transition Planning.

Study Shows Linking Statewide Data for ASD Prevalence is Effective

A new study found that linking statewide health and education data is an effective way for states to have actionable local autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence estimates when resources are limited. Read the key findings: Statewide county-level autism spectrum disorder prevalence estimates-seven U.S. states, 2018.

Trends in Stimulant Prescription Fills in the US, 2016-2021

Stimulant prescriptions, most commonly used to treat ADHD, increased by more than 10% for adults during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employer-sponsored health insurance claims data were used by CDC researchers to describe trends in stimulant prescription fills and patient characteristics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2016–2021). The proportion of people with prescription stimulant fills increased more than 10% among females aged 15–44 years and males aged 25–44 years during 2020–2021. This sharp increase highlights the need for ADHD clinical practice guidelines to address diagnosis and treatment in adults.

• Read the MMWR: Trends in Stimulant Prescription Fills Among Commercially Insured Children and Adults — United States, 2016–2021.
• Read a related commentary in the Journal of Attention Disorders: Sudden Increases in U.S. Stimulant Prescribing: Alarming or Not?

Helpful Tools for Mental Health Screening in Schools

A CDC study published in Psychology in the Schools provides support for the usefulness of teacher report in mental health screening in elementary and secondary schools. CDC researchers and collaborators from Ohio University, University of Colorado, University of South Carolina, and University of Florida considered the results from the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2 Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BASC-2-BESS) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as conducted by teachers, and compared the results from a more in-depth diagnostic tool used by parents. All screening tools performed moderately well. These findings can inform the use of teacher report in mental health screening. Mental health screening in schools can be a meaningful part of identifying at-risk students and service delivery to students who need them, potentially improving student outcomes. Read the journal article to learn more.

Partner News and Announcements

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Expires May 11, 2023

The Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 is expected to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. The PHE action means that the US federal government will transition from the emergency phase of the COVID-19 response, but CDC’s commitment to equitable health outcomes will continue. CDC remains dedicated to preventing severe illness and death from COVID-19, particularly for populations at higher risk such as some people with disabilities and individuals who are immunocompromised. CDC will continue working with other federal government agencies and offices to maintain equitable access to vaccines, testing, and therapeutics to the extent possible.

For additional details on the PHE expiration, please check out this Department of Health and Human Services fact sheet.

Medicaid Continuous Coverage Requirement Ends March 31, 2023

In 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services waived certain Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements to help people keep health coverage obtained during the COVID-19 pandemic. A new law was signed in December 2022 that ended the continuous enrollment condition as of March 31, 2023. States have up to 12 months to initiate renewals—a process commonly referred to as “unwinding.” Most adult Medicaid enrolled families are unaware. This is an important moment to get the word out and partner to help people keep their existing coverage or get connected to new coverage. View the CMS unwinding guidance and toolkit for more information.

HHS Child and Adolescent Health Emergency Planning Toolkit

HHS has developed a toolkit that addresses the needs of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. The resource provides public health, healthcare, and emergency personnel with basic planning steps, key resources and promising practices, and explains data and information to be used for emergency planning for CYSHCN. It includes modules on preparedness, response, and recovery planning, as well as several case studies. Throughout, the toolkit promotes understanding of health equity and applying the social determinants of health, developing organizational resilience, and understanding of the needs of CYSHCN population before, during, and after emergencies.