Thursday, March 29, 2012

CDC Autism Rate show a rise of 25%

One out of 88 children in the U.S. has an autism spectrum disorder, according to the latest estimate by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 


Previously the CDC estimated autism's prevalence at about an average of 1 in 110 U.S. children. The new estimate suggests autism is more common than previously thought - about 25 percent more common - and may affect more than one million children and teens in the U.S.

For the CDC's study, researchers looked at autism prevalence estimates from 14 areas in the country. Since every state is not included, the CDC warned the rate "should not be generalized to the United States as a whole." But the data do show that autism diagnoses continue to increase. It's published in the March 29 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.


Boys are still about five times more likely to be diagnosed with autism in the U.S. than girls, according to the CDC report. It estimated one in 54 boys have autism, while one in 252 girls do. 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.


For 2012, the National Institutes of Health invested $169 million in autism research to improve screening and diagnosis, develop effective services and resources for families, identify potential risk factors in the environment that may cause the disorder, and for testing potential treatments.


Read the CDC report

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Autism Understanding the Puzzle - All Over the World

Thanks to all of you who have helped spread autism awareness and have shared our site. Check out the list (scroll down in the right hand column) of the 40+ countries that have visited our website AutismUnderstandingThePuzzle.com

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Showing Love for Those with Special Needs

I was telling a friend about these videos last night and I realized I hadn't shared them here yet. I share them with you now, I cannot think of better examples of youth putting aside their egos and pride to include and get to know these awesome friends and gain a greater love for one another.