Nearly 1 in 5 children in rural areas have a developmental disability

New CDC data reveal that U.S. children living in rural areas are more likely to be diagnosed with developmental disabilities and are less likely to get treatment. Here's more from the report: 

• Overall trends: Between 2015-2018, nearly 20% of children ages 3-17 and living in rural areas in the U.S. were diagnosed with a developmental disability, compared to 17% of those living in urban areas. 
• Diagnoses: More than 11% of kids in rural America were diagnosed with ADHD, compared to around 9% of kids in cities and larger towns. An equal proportion of kids in both geographic areas had autism spectrum disorder diagnoses. 
• Treatment: Children living in rural areas were less likely than their urban peers to have seen a mental health professional or had a well-child checkup in the previous year. Children in the rural U.S. were also less likely to have received special education or early intervention services.