Fw: Study Shows Increase in Autism

[Guest guest]

I read somewhere that the increase in autism coincides with the increased number of vaccinations each child receives since the 80's...makes alot of sense, there's so much talk about the connection between autism and vaccines in other scientific circles, and STILL the media (and government) act like they don't understand why this is happening! DUH! It's another case of deny, obfuscate and confuse, to avoid legal responsibility. (Thanks to Ilena for this article.)

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/01/health/01AUTI.html?pagewanted=print & position=top--------------------------------------------------------------------------------January 1, 2003Study Shows Increase in AutismBy SANDRA BLAKESLEEAutism is about 10 times as prevalent today as it was in the 1980's,according to the country's largest study ever on the problem. Some ofthe increase is the result of widened definitions of the disorder,researchers say, but the explanation for the rest of the increase isunknown.The study, conducted in metropolitan Atlanta in 1996, found that 3.4in every 1,000 children ages 3 to 10 had mild to severe autism thatyear. In the late 1980's, 4 to 5 in every 10,000 children were thoughtto be afflicted.The higher rate, described in today's issue of the Journal of theAmerican Medical Association, is in line with rates found in recentsmaller studies in the United States and abroad in which the autismprevalence was 4 to 6 children in 1,000.The researchers, from the federal Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, said the prevalence rates they found would mean that atleast 425,000 Americans under age 18 have some form of autism.Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsop, an epidemiologist at the National Centeron Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, led the study.Some of the increase can be explained by changes in the definition ofautism, a brain disorder in which normal social interaction isdifficult or impossible. The definition has widened to include milderforms.Many experts believe that autism results from an interplay of genesand unknown environmental factors.Dr. Yeargin-Allsop said the researchers canvassed schools, clinics,doctors, nonprofit programs and other places that autistic childrenmight have gone for services in 1996. Studies that look at autisticchildren in just one setting, like special clinics, tend to find lowerrates, she said.Experts reviewed the medical records of each child and determinedwhether autism was diagnosed accurately. They did not examine thechildren themselves. Out of the 289,456 children ages 3 to 10 livingin the metropolitan Atlanta in 1996, 987 had mild to severe autism.Dr. Yeargin-Allsop said 18 percent of the children found to haveautism in 1996 had never had an accurate diagnosis. Many had beenclassified as having general developmental difficulties; thehigher-functioning children had been missed entirely.The Atlanta study found that rates were the same for blacks and whitesbut confirmed studies finding that autism is four times more common inboys than in girls

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: " Kathi " <pureheart@...>

Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 11:57 PM

Subject: Study Shows Increase in Autism

>

> January 1, 2003

> Study Shows Increase in Autism

> By SANDRA BLAKESLEE

>

>

> utism is about 10 times as prevalent today as it was in the 1980's,

> according to the country's largest study ever on the problem. Some of

> the increase is the result of widened definitions of the disorder,

> researchers say, but the explanation for the rest of the increase is

> unknown.

>

> The study, conducted in metropolitan Atlanta in 1996, found that 3.4

> in every 1,000 children ages 3 to 10 had mild to severe autism that

> year. In the late 1980's, 4 to 5 in every 10,000 children were thought

> to be afflicted.

>

> The higher rate, described in today's issue of the Journal of the

> American Medical Association, is in line with rates found in recent

> smaller studies in the United States and abroad in which the autism

> prevalence was 4 to 6 children in 1,000.

>

> The researchers, from the federal Centers for Disease Control and

> Prevention, said the prevalence rates they found would mean that at

> least 425,000 Americans under age 18 have some form of autism.

>

> Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsop, an epidemiologist at the National Center

> on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, led the study.

>

> Some of the increase can be explained by changes in the definition of

> autism, a brain disorder in which normal social interaction is

> difficult or impossible. The definition has widened to include milder

> forms.

>

> Many experts believe that autism results from an interplay of genes

> and unknown environmental factors.

>

> Dr. Yeargin-Allsop said the researchers canvassed schools, clinics,

> doctors, nonprofit programs and other places that autistic children

> might have gone for services in 1996. Studies that look at autistic

> children in just one setting, like special clinics, tend to find lower

> rates, she said.

>

> Experts reviewed the medical records of each child and determined

> whether autism was diagnosed accurately. They did not examine the

> children themselves. Out of the 289,456 children ages 3 to 10 living

> in the metropolitan Atlanta in 1996, 987 had mild to severe autism.

>

> Dr. Yeargin-Allsop said 18 percent of the children found to have

> autism in 1996 had never had an accurate diagnosis. Many had been

> classified as having general developmental difficulties; the

> higher-functioning children had been missed entirely.

>

> The Atlanta study found that rates were the same for blacks and whites

> but confirmed studies finding that autism is four times more common in

> boys than in girls.

>

> _________________

>

> The more chemicals and hormones they inflict on us through water, food

> and drugs, it is no wonder we continue to see increases in disease,

> deterioration and deaths. Will they ever learn?

> Kathi

>