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A new CDC report reveals a slight increase in autism diagnoses in 8-year-olds across the US, rising from 2.76% to 3.22% between 2020 and 2022. Researchers attribute this rise primarily to improved access to autism evaluations within underserved communities – specifically Black, Hispanic, and low-income groups – which was a notable shift from previous trends. While overall prevalence remains higher among these groups compared to white children, the data indicates a growing trend toward earlier diagnoses, particularly among younger children. However, it's important to note that these findings are based on data from 16 specific sites and therefore aren't fully representative of national autism prevalence.