Neurodevelopmental Disorders and American Indians/Alaska Natives

Neurodevelopmental disorders are conditions that begin in childhood and affect how the brain grows and works. They can affect learning, behavior, movement, or communication. The causes are often a mix of factors, such as genetics, health and behaviors during pregnancy, birth complications, infections, or exposure to harmful substances. Having a developmental disability does not mean a person cannot be healthy. Regular health care is important, especially since some health conditions are more common in children with developmental disabilities.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulses, or sitting still. Symptoms can show up in different ways, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms often continue into adulthood.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is another common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people communicate, interact, learn, and behave. The abilities of people with ASD vary widely—some people need a lot of support, while others live and work independently. ASD is linked to differences in the brain, with multiple causes that are still being studied.

  • From 2016 to 2021, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children ages 3 to 17 were 26% more likely than all U.S. children in that age group to have been diagnosed with any developmental, learning, and language disorder.

  • In 2024, AI/AN children under age 18 were 40% more likely than all U.S. children to be receiving special education or early intervention services.

Additional Resources

MedlinePlus

Related Data

Further Reading

Occurrence

Developmental Disabilities

Children ages 3–17 years ever diagnosed with any developmental, learning, and language disorder, percentage, 2016–2021
AI/AN*Total PopulationRatio (AI/AN* / Total)
18.714.81.26
Source: Leeb, R. T., Danielson, M. L., Claussen, A. H., Robinson, L. R., Lebrun-Harris, L. A., Ghandour, R., Bitsko, R. H., Katz, S. M., Kaminski, J. W., & Brown, J. (2024). Trends in mental, behavioral, and developmental disorders among children and adolescents in the US, 2016-2021 (Tables 1 and 2). Preventing Chronic Disease, 21, 240142.

Special Education or Early Intervention Services Use

Children under age 18 years currently receiving special education or early intervention services, percentage, 2024
AI/ANTotal PopulationRatio (AI/AN / Total)
15.711.21.40
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2025). Interactive summary health statistics for children: Percentage of currently receiving special education or early intervention services for children under age 18 years, United States, 2024. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

*Population is non-Hispanic in the data source.


Date Last Reviewed: March 2026