CDC adjusts autism estimate
~ This entry was posted on December 22, 2009
According to the government’s latest estimate released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1 in 110 children have autism. This is a small change from their preliminary estimate of 1 in 100 that was announced in October but a staggering 57% increase from their 1994 rate of 1 in 150, the autism prevalence statistic most heavily quoted by media and community advocates. The adjustment from the October study apparently comes from a more complete analysis of reports from 11 states. Another government study released this past fall had put the number at closer to 1 in 90. The exact figure might not be as important as the fact that the prevalence of autism is increasing and will fuel the argument for increased government spending on research into the causes of autism as well as a cure. To date, there is no cure for autism. However, many families see dramatic improvements when early intervention using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is implemented.
Some experts say the increase may be due in part to better diagnosis and changes in how well records are kept. But most would agree that the increase can not be entirely explained by better diagnosis. And while tremendous strides have been made into genetic research, more research needs to be done on environmental factors that more than likely play a role in the increase.
These new numbers confirm what many of us in the autism community know, which is that we need to address the growing national autism health crisis. Hopefully these new findings will compel our government to take further action to pledge money to the funding of safe and effective treatments for the growing autism population.
