A new study from the CDC indicates that approximately 1% of the 8 year olds in its study had an “ASD”: “approximately 1% or one child in every 110.” That’s a 57% increase from a similar study of 8 year olds in 2002. Although increased awareness and improved diagnosis accounts for some of the prevalence increase, a true increase of Autism prevalence cannot be ruled out.
One interesting explanation for why improved or broader diagnosis does not explain everything: while the high-functioning/Asperger’s diagnoses went up (as a result of the evolution of Autism as a spectrum disorder), so did the numbers of those more severely impacted. So no clear pattern of broad diagnosis effects emerged. Also, diagnostic evaluations were more detailed and more frequent compared to 2002, which also may have contributed to the increase. The overall increase was so marked that the CDC called for the need to regard Autism as an “urgent public health concern.”
Read the report here. The abstract on the first page nicely summarizes the study’s significance.
Change in prevalence, per 1,000 children, of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) among children aged 8 years.
What do you think of the new study, and others like it recently, that report a marked increase in the prevalence of Autism?
“Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders - Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, United States, 2006.” MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report). 58:SS-10, December 18 2009.
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