New Study Shows One in A Hundred Children Have Autism

A recent Federal study shows that the actual number of children who have autism is not 1 in 150 as previously reported but 1 in 100. It is unclear whether it is an increase in prevalence or an increase in diagnosis. The Atlantic Monthly reports that the increase in numbers is a result of the fact that an autism diagnosis paves the way for funding. While there may some truth in this story from the Atlantic Monthly, in my experience and in discussions with several therapists, there is an absolute increase in the number of children with autism. Schools are generally not well equipped to handle the numbers of students in the system now. If in fact that there will be many more students who are going to require special education for autism, schools will need  to significantly revamp their programs to address the numbers and increased needs.

Comments

[Anita]

Charles, thanks for posting this. This is exactly why I am so frustrated with California right now. CA has significantly changed the way they are providing Early Intervention (0-3) services based on budget cuts, as well as having changed service delivery for over age 3 as well. EI eligibility criteria has changed, leaving a large group of children ineligible who would have received services before, which can only result in increased numbers of kids needing services over age 3 (and costing CA even more money in the long run). Also, we were providing Sp. Ed. consultations for families of school age children, and the law has actually been changed to make this service ILLEGAL through the Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled system that we have here in CA. Loss of job for me, bigger loss for families.

Thanks for letting me vent.

[kathy Tumminaro]

amen- I can think of a few that could use a revamp- Lets just hope that all the districts realize that this is not something that will go away.

[Stuart D.]

Are there any articles or sources that speak to autism incidence among specific populations (e.g. urban/rural, income level, number of children in family, broad ethnicity etc.)? I do think there's an absoluate increase, but it as more to do with an increasingly fragmented social environment, triggering sensory processing disorders and cumulative effects while children develop among their peers than a sudden genetic "blip". In other words, more enabling factors than anything intrinsic.