Prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) point to geographic and socioeconomic disparities in identification and diagnosis. Estimating national prevalence rates can limit understanding of local disparities, especially in rural areas where disproportionately higher rates of poverty and decreased healthcare access exist. Using a small area estimation approach from the 2016–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health (N = 70,913), we identified geographic differences in ASD prevalence, ranging from 4.38% in the Mid-Atlantic to 2.71% in the West South-Central region. Cluster analyses revealed “hot spots” in parts of the Southeast, East coast, and Northeast. This geographic clustering of prevalence estimates suggests that local or state-level differences in policies, service accessibility, and sociodemographics may play an important role in identification and diagnosis of ASD. County-Level Prevalence Estimates of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Children in the United States.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370523386_County-Level_Prevalence_Estimates_of_Autism_Spectrum_Disorder_in_Children_in_the_United_States

Ah, thank you. I only saw the image on that link. At the top of the page in a “view paper”.

Without knowing what the definition of hot and cold, it is difficult to make conclusions.

Is there a source paper?