AUTISM spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising worldwide, yet major differences in diagnosis and access to care highlight persistent disparities between the United States and other regions. This narrative review emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated global strategies to close gaps in early detection, service delivery, and intervention.
ASD is defined by challenges in social interaction and communication as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors. While global prevalence has increased in recent decades, the U.S. currently reports approximately 1 in 31 children with ASD. This trend reflects improved awareness, robust early screening programs, and stronger policy frameworks, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and insurance mandates for autism coverage. These measures have enhanced access to early intervention, a factor strongly linked to improved developmental outcomes.
By contrast, many countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia continue to face significant barriers to ASD care. Limited clinical infrastructure, underdiagnosis, lack of trained professionals, and social stigma hinder timely identification and treatment. The review highlights that these barriers extend beyond health systems, reflecting broader societal challenges in recognizing and prioritizing neurodevelopmental conditions.
International initiatives are beginning to address these inequities. Programs such as the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training, alongside support from nongovernmental organizations, are introducing culturally adaptable approaches to caregiver education and child support. These efforts demonstrate progress but remain insufficient without expanded policy backing and resource allocation.
The authors argue that an interprofessional, cross-cultural framework is essential to advance autism care worldwide. Training providers, improving screening tools, scaling referral pathways, and embedding policy change into community-based care models are identified as priorities. Positioning ASD as a global public health priority could promote greater equity in both developmental and mental healthcare for children.
This comparative perspective reinforces the critical role of global collaboration in ensuring that progress in the U.S. translates into broader, more equitable access to early detection and services across diverse settings.
Reference: Kadam SJ et al. Bridging the gap: autism spectrum disorder in children in the United States and worldwide: a narrative review. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2025. doi: 10.3345/cep.2025.00969
