Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Asian Americans

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, Asian American children ages 3 to 17 were 50% less likely than all U.S. children in that age group to have been diagnosed with any developmental, learning, and language disorder.
  • From 2019 to 2021, Asian American children ages 3 to 17 were 6% less likely than all U.S. children in that age group to have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
  • In 2024, Asian American children under age 18 were 65% less likely than all U.S. children to have been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • In 2024, Asian American children under age 18 were 48% less likely than all U.S. children to have had a learning disability.
  • In 2024, Asian American children under age 18 were 51% less 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 disability, percentage, 2019–2021
Asian*Total PopulationRatio (Asian* / Total)
4.98.10.60
Source: Zablotsky, B., Ng, A. E., Black, L. I., & Blumberg, S. J. (2023). Diagnosed developmental disabilities in children aged 3–17 years: United States, 2019–2021 (NCHS Data Brief No. 473, Figure 2). National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Children ages 3–17 years ever diagnosed with any developmental, learning, and language disorder, percentage, 2016–2021
Asian*Total PopulationRatio (Asian* / Total)
7.414.80.50
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.

Autism

Children ages 3–17 years ever diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, percentage, 2019–2021
Asian*Total PopulationRatio (Asian* / Total)
2.93.10.94
Source: Zablotsky, B., Ng, A. E., Black, L. I., & Blumberg, S. J. (2023). Diagnosed developmental disabilities in children aged 3–17 years: United States, 2019–2021 (NCHS Data Brief No. 473, Figure 4). National Center for Health Statistics, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Children aged 8 years with autism spectrum disorder, prevalence per 1,000 children in Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (16 sites), 2022
Asian/Pacific Islander*Total PopulationRatio (Asian/Pacific Islander* / Total)
38.232.21.19
Source: Shaw, K. A., Williams, S., Patrick, M. E., Valencia-Prado, M., Durkin, M. S., Howerton, E. M., Ladd-Acosta, C. M., Pas, E. T., Bakian, A. V., Bartholomew, P., Nieves-Muñoz, N., Sidwell, K., Alford, A., Bilder, D. A., DiRienzo, M., Fitzgerald, R. T., Furnier, S. M., Hudson, A. E., Pokoski, O. M., Shea, L., … Maenner, M. J. (2025). 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 (Tables 1 and 2). MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Surveillance Summaries, 74(2), 1–22.

ADHD

Children under age 18 years ever having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, crude percentage, 2024
AsianTotal PopulationRatio (Asian / Total)
4.212.00.35
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2024). Ever diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children: 2024. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Learning Disabilities

Children ages 3–17 years ever having a learning disability, percentage, 2024
AsianTotal PopulationRatio (Asian / Total)
4.79.10.52
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2025). Interactive summary health statistics for children: Percentage of ever having a learning disability for children aged 3-17 years, United States, 2024. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Special Education or Early Intervention Services Use

Children under age 18 years currently receiving special education or early intervention services, percentage, 2024
AsianTotal PopulationRatio (Asian / Total)
5.511.20.49
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