Colorado: "Autism rates on the rise in US"; "more pressure on already strained system"

April 15, 2026, WOWT Omaha, NE: Shortage of autism resources in Colorado

VIDEO: Autism rates are on the rise in the U.S. and it’s putting more pressure on an already strained system, according to a local pediatrician.

In our state some families are not only waiting for services, but they’re also trying to understand what autism means and where to turn for help.

. . .But getting an official diagnosis can take time, and without that diagnosis, some services can’t start away.

. . .the CDC estimates about one in 36 [sic] children has been identified with autism, a number that has increased over time.

Doctors say that growth is adding pressure to a system that already has limited providers, and some families are left navigating resources on their own while they wait for services to become available.  . . .