CDC Report Finds 1 In 49 Children In NJ Identified With Autism

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http://njtoday.net/2012/03/29/cdc-report-finds-1-in-49-children-in-nj-identified-with-autism/

CDC Report Finds 1 In 49 Children In NJ Identified With

AutismMarch 29, 2012

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WASHINGTON, D.C. ­ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

estimates that 1 in 88 children in the United States, and 1 in 49

children in New Jersey, have been identified as having an autism spectrum

disorder (ASD), according to a new study released today. Autism spectrum

disorders are almost five times more common among boys than girls – with

1 in 54 boys identified.

The number of children identified with ASDs ranged from 1 in 210 children

in Alabama to 1 in 47 children in Utah. The largest increases were among

Hispanic and black children.

The report, “Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders – Autism and

Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 14 Sites, United States,

2008,” provides autism prevalence estimates from 14 areas. It was

published today in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

“This information paints a picture of the magnitude of the condition

across our country and helps us understand how communities identify

children with autism,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary

Kathleen Sebelius. “That is why HHS and our entire administration has

been working hard to improve the lives of people living with autism

spectrum disorders and their families by improving research, support, and

services.”

“Today’s report further underscores the need for our continued efforts in

understanding, identifying and treating autism,” said U.S. Senator

Menendez (D-NJ). “New Jersey continues to show a higher than average

incidence of children with autism spectrum disorders. This could be

attributed to our expanded efforts towards early screening and

intervention, which experts acknowledge is the best way to help children

grow up to fullfil their full potential. That is why I fought so hard in

the Congress to pass the reauthorization of the Combating Autism Act,

which provides us with the tools and resources necessary to spur research

into the causes, diagnosis and treatments of autism.”

“One thing the data tells us with certainty – there are more children and

families that need help,” said CDC Director Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.

“We must continue to track autism spectrum disorders because this is the

information communities need to guide improvements in services to help

children.”

The results of CDC’s study highlight the importance of the Obama

administration’s efforts to address the needs of people with ASDs,

including the work of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee

(IACC) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The IACC’s

charge is to facilitate ASD research, screening, intervention, and

education. As part of this effort, the National Institutes of Health has

invested in research to identify possible risk factors and effective

therapies for people with ASDs.

Study results from the 2008 surveillance year show 11.3 per 1,000

8-year-old children have been identified as having an ASD. This marks a

23 percent increase since the last report in 2009. Some of this increase

is due to the way children are identified, diagnosed and served in their

communities, although exactly how much is due to these factors is

unknown. “To understand more, we need to keep accelerating our research

into risk factors and causes of autism spectrum disorders,” said Coleen

Boyle, Ph.D., M.S.Hyg., director of CDC’s National Center on Birth

Defects and Developmental Disabilities.

The study also shows more children are being diagnosed by age 3, an

increase from 12 percent for children born in 1994 to 18 percent for

children born in 2000. “Unfortunately, 40 percent of the children in this

study aren’t getting a diagnosis until after age 4. We are working hard

to change that,” said Boyle.

The most important thing for parents to do is to act quickly whenever

there is a concern about a child’s development.

Talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns. Call your local early intervention program or school system for an

assessment. Remember you do not need a diagnosis to access services for your

child.

To learn more about this study, visit

www.cdc.gov/autism.

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Sheri Nakken, former R.N., MA, Hahnemannian

Homeopath

Vaccination Information & Choice Network, Washington State, USA

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