The Increase in Autism

Hi all,

In the last few months, I have seen and read news multiple times about the incidence of Autism.   According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Autism rates have climbed nearly 30% between 2008 and 2010.  Rates have more than doubled since 2000.  it was believed that one of every 88 eight-year olds was affected by autism.   The condition is now believed to affect one of every 68 eight-year-olds.  The diagnosis is much more common in boys (one in 42) than girls (one in 189), and much more frequently found in whites than blacks or Hispanics. 

What could be causing this increase?  

The following informational article is from Dr. Gary Feldman of the Miller Children's Hospital in Long Beach, California. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 1 in 68 American children are identified with an autism spectrum disorder – a 30% increase from 1 in 88 two years ago. More than two million Americans currently live with an autism spectrum disorder, but the cost of lifelong care can be reduced by more than 60 percent with early diagnosis and intervention. When it comes to health, autism is a disorder that can’t be ignored or overlooked.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their synapses connect and organize; how this exactly occurs is not well understood yet. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a spectrum disorder that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. Symptoms almost always start before a child is 3-years-old and can present themselves as early as 18 months.

The diagnosis of autism has always been based on history obtained from caregivers and teachers, as well as through direct observations. There currently is no blood test that can diagnose an autism spectrum disorder. However, research is underway to evaluate a blood test that will help in making the diagnosis.

There is no known single cause of autism, but autism is treatable. Children do not outgrow autism, but studies show that kids who received early diagnosis and intervention tend to have better brain function, communication skills and overall social behavior. This is why knowing the signs of autism and taking action is so important.

There are several signs and symptoms that are more prevalent than others and that parents should keep an eye out for:

  • Unusual behaviors
    • Hand flapping
    • Lines up toys or other objects
    • Gets upset by minor changes
    • Has obsessive interests
  • Poor social skills
    • Avoids eye contact
    • Doesn’t respond to their name after 12 months
    • Prefers to play alone
    • Avoids or resists physical contact
  • Difficulty with communication skills
    • Doesn’t point or doesn’t respond to pointing
    • Repeats words or phrases over and over
    • Delayed speech and language skills
    • Reverses pronouns (i.e., "you" instead of "I")

There also are potential risk factors that may increase a child's chance of developing autism:

  • Children that have a parent or sibling with autism
  • Children that are born more than 26 weeks premature
  • Children that are born to older parents, especially fathers
  • Children that are born underweight
  • Boys are four to five times more likely to develop autism than a girl
  • Pregnant women who take the prescription drugs valproic acid and thalidomide

It is important to note that one of the most common rumors in autism is based on whether a link exists between autism and certain childhood vaccines, particularly the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, extensive studies and research have not found a link between autism and vaccines.

Rochelle Kenyon, SME