A new study published in the current issue of Pediatrics, Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates the prevalence of autism in children is much greater than earlier statistics indicated. It found that one percent of the population has been diagnosed with some form of autism.
The disorder can cause a wide range of symptoms, including social and communication difficulties, and self-injurious behaviors.
Carla Hendricks learned her 13-year-old son Keith had autism when he was a toddler.
“Keith is not very verbal, so it was difficult for me when he was younger because he would throw a lot of tantrums, and I couldn’t understand what was wrong.”
According to a new study, 1 in every 91 children in the U.S. has been diagnosed with some form of autism, higher than the previous estimate of 1 in 150 children.
Better diagnosis and awareness may account for part of the increase, but some point to other factors.
“We’ve been subjected to numerous chemicals and neurotoxins over the last century,” said Lee Grossman, president of the Autism Society of America.
The study is based on surveys of more than 78,000 parents of children between the ages of 3 and 17. But since verbal interviews were used to gather the information, some doctors are skeptical of the accuracy.
The study also found that 40% of children who had at one time been diagnosed with a form of autism, no longer meet that criteria.
“Children who lose the diagnosis of autism typically will have some other symptoms if you look carefully enough.” said Dr. Susan Hyman of American Academy of Pediatrics.
A puzzling disorder that according to the study is being diagnosed more often, with more and more families looking for resources.