CVS Health: "Better screening," "greater awareness" behind rise in autism

April 8, 2026, CVS Health: Understanding autism today and how care is evolving

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), more commonly referenced only as autism is a lifelong condition and exists on a spectrum, with varying degrees of symptoms and impacts.

Cases are being identified more often today mostly because we’ve gotten better at recognizing, understanding and diagnosing it. And the industry has expanded the conditions that fall on the spectrum. . . .

Autism is about people, not definitions

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often described in clinical language, but at its core, autism is about people—how they communicate, learn, and experience the world. Those who are diagnosed to be on the spectrum have a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges, “But autism exists on a spectrum and the level of those challenges varies greatly by individual,” said Dr. Taft Parsons III, Chief Psychiatric Officer at CVS Health. “What this means clinically, and how we care for patients is that the strengths and support needs can look very different from one person to the next and can change over time.” While autism is often identified in childhood, it also affects adolescents and adults, and many people seek understanding later in life as awareness grows. “As a very practical example, as many millennials and Gen X parents learned more about ASD while raising children, they often look inwards into past, or current symptoms they’ve experienced,” Parsons said.

Why does it feel like autism is everywhere right now?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), national surveillance data released in 2025 estimate that about 1 in 31 children in the U.S. has been identified with autism by age 8. That number can feel surprising, or even alarming. From a clinical perspective, though, it reflects progress—better screening, broader diagnostic criteria, reduced stigma and greater awareness across healthcare, schools, and families.

“What the data really show is that we’re getting better at recognizing autism,” says Parsons III. “And recognition—at any age—gives people language for their experience and a path toward support.” . . .