B3 - Clinicians - before WI

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and other
Developmental Disabilities System (WISADDS)
RESULTS

SITE INFORMATION

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Prevalence, 2008
Number of children identified with ASDs: 267
Total prevalence of ASDs: 7.8 per 1,000 (1 in 129)
Boys: 11.7 per 1,000 (1 in 85)
Girls: 3.7 per 1,000 (1 in 270)

Part of Wisconsin Included in ADDM, 2008
10 counties: Dane, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha,
Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Walworth, and
Waukesha

Race/ Ethnicity
White: 8.6 per 1,000
Black : 5.0 per 1,000
Hispanic: 3.8 per 1,000
Documented ASD Diagnosis
Children with ASD diagnosis in their records: 83%
Median earliest age ASD was documented in their records:
4 years, 5 months
Autistic Disorder: 3 years, 10 months
ASD/PDD: 4 years,4 months
Asperger Disorder: 6 years, 2 months

Population of 8-Year-Old Children in Study
Area, 2008
8-Year-Old Children: 34,451
White: 65.2%
Black: 16.9%
Hispanic: 13.7%
Asian or Pacific Islander: 3.7%

Yellow - Counties in the ADDM Network in 2008

Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and other Developmental Disabilities
System (WISADDS)
Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and other Developmental Disabilities System (WISADDS) is a multisource
public health surveillance system established to monitor the number of children in the population with ASDs or other
developmental disabilities. WISADDS was established in 2003 as an ADDM Network site in collaboration between the
Wisconsin Department of Health Services and investigators from the Waisman Center and Department of Population
Health Sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison. WISADDS is currently conducting surveillance of ASDs and
cerebral palsy. In addition to prevalence counts, this program contributes information on the characteristics and risk
factors for ASDs, including:
• Age of identification of ASDs, (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19318992)
• The relationship between both maternal and paternal age and ASD risk, (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17404129)
• Socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence of ASDs.
(www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20634960, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19743757)
What kinds of education and training programs does WISADDS offer to people who work with children who
have ASDs or other developmental disability?
The project sponsors workshops and training in early identification of developmental disabilities for pediatricians and
other pediatric health care providers serving southeastern Wisconsin. The goal is to improve the ability of providers to
recognize early signs of ASDs and cerebral palsy and for standardized diagnostic practices related to ASDs, including
childhood autism, Asperger syndrome, atypical autism, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified.
What are some of the resources available in Wisconsin for children with developmental disabilities, their
families, and the professionals who serve them?
• Wisconsin promotes CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. campaign in an effort to raise awareness about developmental
milestones and the importance of screening and early intervention. Visit www.ActEarly.wisc.edu for more information.
• Wisconsin Regional Centers for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) provide confidential
information, referral and follow-up so all families of children and youth with special health care needs and providers
have access to complete and accurate information. The Regional Center staff regularly provides training related to early
identification, autism, developmental screening, and community-based resources. To find out what is available in your
area, visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/children/overview/index.htm.
• Finding Your Way: A Navigation Guide for Wisconsin Families Who Have Children and Youth with Special Health
Care Needs and Disabilities is another valuable resource that provides brief descriptions of programs, services and
systems of support available in Wisconsin. You can download the booklet at www.waisman.wisc.edu/cedd/pdfs/
findingyourway.pdf.
• Wisconsin First Step is a 24-hour hotline and searchable online database for families and providers who support the
needs of children and youth with special needs: call 1-800-642-7837 or visit www.mch-hotlines.org.
• The Autism Society of Wisconsin is a rich resource for all affected by autism. To find out more or to locate your local
chapter, visit www.asw4autism.org or call 1-888-4-AUTISM.
For more information, please contact:
Maureen Durkin, PhD, DrPH
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Phone: (608) 263-2128
Waisman Center Fax: (608) 265-3441
1500 Highland Ave, Room S101E
E-mail: mdurkin@wisc.edu
Madison, Wisconsin 53705