Georgia is one of the most data-rich states for autism surveillance in the United States. Metropolitan Atlanta has been a CDC Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network site since the programme's launch in 2000 — giving Georgia one of the longest-running, federally standardized autism surveillance histories of any state.
The headline number
In 2022, the Georgia ADDM site — covering three counties in Metro Atlanta — identified autism in 32.6 per 1,000 children aged 8 years (approximately 1 in 31). A total of 1,149 children with ASD were identified out of a surveillance population of 35,213.¹ This is statistically consistent with the national ADDM average of 32.2 per 1,000.
National context
About 1 in 31 (3.2%) children aged 8 years has been identified with ASD according to estimates from CDC's ADDM Network.¹ New CDC data released April 2025 show that 1 in 31 eight-year-olds had received an autism diagnosis by 2022 — a 22% increase in just two years.¹
By sex
In Georgia's ADDM site, ASD prevalence among boys was 51.1 per 1,000 and among girls was 13.7 per 1,000 — a male-to-female ratio of 3.7 to 1.¹ The national ratio is 3.4 to 1, meaning Georgia's site shows a slightly wider gender gap than the national average.
By race and ethnicity
In Georgia, ASD prevalence among Black children (39.1 per 1,000) and Asian or Pacific Islander children (35.6 per 1,000) was higher than among White children (24.0 per 1,000). Hispanic children had a prevalence of 27.7 per 1,000.¹ This pattern — first observed nationally in 2020 — reflects improved identification in historically underserved communities.
Age at diagnosis
The median age of earliest documented ASD diagnosis at the Georgia site was 48 months.¹ The national median across all 16 sites was 47 months. Research consistently shows that autism can be reliably identified as early as age 2 in many children, meaning a gap remains between when diagnosis is possible and when it actually happens.
Important limitation
The Georgia ADDM site covers three specific Metro Atlanta counties, not the full state. ADDM Network surveillance areas are not nationally or statewide representative — they are selected geographic areas. Prevalence figures for rural Georgia or other metro areas may differ from Metro Atlanta data.
What this means for Georgia families
Earlier diagnosis means earlier access to ABA therapy and early intervention — and earlier intervention is consistently associated with stronger outcomes in communication, social skills, and adaptive behaviour. Georgia's Babies Can't Wait programme provides early intervention from birth through age two. Georgia Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, and CareSource all cover ABA therapy for children with an autism diagnosis.
Blossom ABA provides in-home and center-based ABA therapy across Georgia — no waitlist, most insurances accepted. Our Riverdale clinic serves Riverdale, Jonesboro, Morrow, Forest Park, Stockbridge, Fayetteville, and College Park. Our Peachtree Corners clinic serves Peachtree Corners, Norcross, Johns Creek, Duluth, and surrounding Gwinnett and North Fulton counties. In-home ABA available statewide across Atlanta, Savannah, Marietta, Alpharetta, Roswell, and many more communities. Contact our team to get started.
Georgia autism resources:
Autism statistics across Blossom's service states
Georgia is one of the few states with long-running CDC surveillance data behind its prevalence figures. If you're curious how the picture compares in neighboring states — or if your family is in a different part of Blossom's service area — the data looks different depending on whether a state has an ADDM site or not.
Autism Statistics in Tennessee → — Tennessee is also an ADDM site, covering 11 Middle Tennessee counties. Its 34.0 per 1,000 rate sits slightly above Georgia's.
Autism Statistics in North Carolina → — NC is not an ADDM site. Here's what data actually exists and what NC's Medicaid expansion changed for families.
Autism Statistics in Virginia → — Virginia is not an ADDM site either. Here's what the national numbers suggest and how Virginia's ABA insurance mandate works.
Blossom ABA provides in-home and center-based ABA therapy across Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia — no waitlist, most insurances accepted. Contact our team to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the autism prevalence rate in Georgia?
The CDC's 2022 ADDM data for Metro Atlanta shows 32.6 per 1,000 children aged 8 — approximately 1 in 31 — consistent with the national average. The surveillance area covers three Metro Atlanta counties; statewide figures may differ. Georgia has been an ADDM surveillance site since 2000, giving it one of the most reliable long-term datasets of any state.
Does Georgia Medicaid cover ABA therapy?
Yes. Georgia Medicaid, PeachCare for Kids, and CareSource all cover ABA therapy for eligible children with an autism diagnosis. The Katie Beckett Waiver can extend Medicaid eligibility to children who would not otherwise qualify based on household income.
At what age are Georgia children diagnosed with autism?
The CDC ADDM data for the Georgia site shows a median age of earliest documented ASD diagnosis of 48 months — just under 4 years. Diagnosis is reliably possible as early as age 2 in many children.
Sources:
¹ Shaw KA, Williams S, Patrick ME, et al. Prevalence and Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 4 and 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022. MMWR Surveill Summ 2025;74(No. SS-2):1–22. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/ss/ss7402a1.htm
