Welcome to CADDE, where autism research unites scientists, families, and clinical experts

The Johns Hopkins Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities Epidemiology (CADDE) unites multi-disciplinary teams of researchers — from epidemiologists, statisticians, laboratory experts, psychologists, geneticists — to further the scientific knowledge about Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities.  We collaborate with other research sites, federal agencies, and autism surveillance efforts — in Maryland, elsewhere in the United States, and beyond.

CADDE's mission is supported by another invaluable partner: the families affected by autism who graciously participate in research.  We thank you!

Tracking the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders 

 Working through Maryland and 13 other states, the CDC has released a new report finding that 1 in 88 U.S. eight-year-old children has an Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).  Dr. Li-Ching Lee, a psychiatric epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, has led the Maryland effort since 2001.

The latest document is the third report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM), which has used consistent surveillance methods for more than a decade to estimate the prevalence of ASDs among 8-year-old children. The ASD prevalence rose 78% between 2002 and 2008. As in past years, researchers found that the prevalence of ASDs is markedly higher among boys compared with girls. ASDs affect 1 in 54 boys and 1 in 252 girls, the latest report found. Read more...

Learn more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Read the Johns Hopkins press release

View media coverage of the CDC prevalence report: CNN  WebMd  Washington Post Baltimore Sun   

Study explores autism co-occurring conditions and diagnosis change

The authors found that the type and number of co-occurring conditions vary by children’s age.  These conditions include anxiety, depression, developmental delay, speech problems, and seizures.

“Our study found that children with a current ASD are more likely to have co-occurring conditions compared to children who no longer have an ASD diagnosis,” said Heather Close, the study’s lead author.

 “Clinicians working with children with ASD need to recognize that certain co-existing conditions of autism differentiate children who continue having the diagnosis from children who no longer have the diagnosis,” said the senior author, Dr. Li-Ching Lee, a psychiatric epidemiologist.  “Beside the core symptoms of autism, the clinicians would need to evaluate the child on these conditions." Both Lee and Close work at CADDE. 

CADDE's current autism research

	EARLI (Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation) With the help of growing families, EARLI seeks clues about autism, starting during pregnancy. Read the first volume of The EARLI Edition, the newsletter for the Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation. See a parent-friendly video of Dr. Daniele Fallin explaining the EARLI Study.
	The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring network (ADDM) estimates the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders.  In its latest report, released in March 2012, the prevalence is 1 in 88 children.  The prevalence in Maryland is slightly higher.  Read the new report      See a video about the autism prevalence project.
	SEED (Study to Explore Early Development) is among the largest studies in the United States helping to identify factors that may put children at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities. See a parent-friendly video of Dr. Daniele Fallin explaining SEED. The first scientific paper has been published based on information from families who participated from 2006 through 2011.  Stay tuned as more study results are published! Do you have a child age 2 to 5 who has special needs?  If you live in certain areas of Maryland, you may be able to join a new phase of SEED. Click here to learn more.

Autism research at Johns Hopkins' CADDE

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health was bathed in blue light, one of many buildings around the world to mark the occasion. See more photos here.

CADDE's Partners

CADDE collaborates with a variety of research institutions and agencies.

NEW! For autism awareness month, Kennedy Krieger Institute will host six free events during April. These include training sessions, lectures, and a family event. Click here for more information.

What's new

Read The Baltimore Sun magazine's article about the EARLI study and one participating Carroll County family. 

Watch WBAL TV's news segment about a participating EARLI family in Anne Arundel County. 

Listen to M. Daniele Fallin, Ph.D., talk about epigenetics and the EARLI study, from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health magazine

EARLI is mentioned in the Afro American newspaper!

Now enrolling

Study to Explore Early Development (SEED), for children ages 2 to 5 — with and without special needs — in certain areas of Maryland. 

Visit us at these community events!

Harford County Early Years Expo, April 14 at Abingdon Elementary School

Autism York Expo and Walk, April 14 at Central York (PA) High School

Honestly Autism Day, April 21 at Towson University

William S. Baer School resource fair, April 26 in West Baltimore

Kennedy Krieger's ROAR for Autism, April 29

Port Discovery children's museum in Baltimore, May 8 (specifically serving children with autism spectrum disorders) and May 9 (serving children with any special needs)

HSCSN June Fair, June 9 in Washington, DC

Friends of Amazing Kids (FOAK) walk and expo, June 16 in Hanover, PA

Bowie Baysox Autism Awareness Night, June 22

Kennedy Krieger Institute's 12th Annual Autism Conference, Oct. 25 and 26 in Timonium, MD

Walk Now for Autism Speaks, Oct. 27 at Ravens Stadium in Baltimore