-Angelot Ndongmo-

Cousins!

There is some cause for concern as recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show  Autism rates are rapidly increasing. For the first time, they noted more than 2% of American children are now on the spectrum of this developmental disability!

The CDC confirmed this works out to about 1 in every 44 children, reports Disability Scoop. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report focused on gathering data over the years, examining 8-year-old children in 2018, from 11 communities all across the country. Most recently analyzing Arizona, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin.

In 2000 –  the rate was 1 in 150 Children had autism.

In 2016 –  the rate was 1 in 54 children had autism.

Dr. Karen Remley, director of CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities said “The substantial progress in early identification is good news because the earlier that children are identified with autism, the sooner they can be connected to services and support. Accessing these services at younger ages can help children do better in school and have a better quality of life.”

With autism, early detection is key. There is an uptick in more than 50% of children being diagnosed before the age of 4, which is a good thing.

Some communities also revealed higher numbers when examined more closely. In Missouri, 1 in 60 children (1.7%) was on the spectrum. California had the highest rate at 1 in 26 children, or 3.9%, on the spectrum. Information could be gathered by race as well.

They saw the fewest cases of autism in Hispanic children compared to white or Black kids.

Intellectual disability was more common, however, among Black children with autism! Also concerning in CDC reports was learning it affects boys four times more than girls. Intellectual disability overall is in more than a third of children.

Matt Maenner, an epidemiologist at the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities said, “We can’t say for sure what is behind the increase in prevalence, but it may be due to the way children are identified, diagnosed, and served in their communities, as well as continued reductions in racial or socioeconomic disparities.”

As communities fluctuated and changed, so did the CDC’s methods for gathering research. They analyze children diagnosed by a local health care provider or by a special education system to get their results a lot quicker.

Cousins, are you concerned by the rapid rise in autism cases? Comment below.