Autism Disorder Increasing Among Children

Autism, a little understood disorder, strikes a rising number of children every year in the United States.  The increasing growth in autism cases has sounded alarm bells in the medical community even as the search for causes and effective treatments eludes researchers.

Evidence of the prevalence of the autism spectrum disorder was contained in a recently released report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings were based on a survey of 11  regions in the country by the centers' Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network.

The report estimated that one in 68 children aged eight years suffers from Autism.  The statistics suggest that rates have increased 10 to 17 percent annually in recent years.  About 10 percent of the more than two million children with autism were also identified as having Down Syndrome.

In its research, the CDC confirmed that autism is almost five times more common among boys than girls.  Non-Hispanic white children were 30 percent more likely to be identified with Autism than African-American kids and 50 percent more likely than Hispanic youths.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability.  It is characterized by problems associated with communication, social interaction, motor coordination and repetitive behavioral patterns.  One study found 46 percent of children with autism had average to above average intellectual ability.

Each individual with autism is unique, making it unfair to generalize about symptoms for children with the disorder.  For example,  many of those with autism have exceptional abilities in visual skills, music and academics.

Initial signs and symptoms typically are recognizable in the early developmental stage of a child.

However, the study unearthed data showing that the median age remains four years or older before the first autism diagnosis is made. The finding is troubling because studies show that parents usually notice developmental problems by the child's first birthday.

This is not only a U.S. issue.  Worldwide, the rates of Autism are increasing twenty to thirty fold.  The CDC report suggests the epidemic rise may be attributable to improved awareness and recognition of the disorder among doctors in other countries.  

The estimated cost of caring for a child with autism is more than $17,000 per year, according to a study cited in the CDC report. However, severe cases of Autism are costlier to treat.  In total, the expenses nationally for care of children with autism top $9 billion annually.

Even armed with this data, researchers remain baffled by the disorder.  They know that those parents of autistic children more often have certain generic or chromosomal conditions.  Children of older parents are at a higher risk for the disorder.  But much is still unknown.

For example, the causes are as numerous as the types of autism.  For years, some autism advocates were convinced that child vaccines for illnesses such as influenza were causing the increase in the disorder. The attention prompted a national study of children's vaccines.

The Institute of Medicine examined eight vaccines given to children and adults and found them to be generally safe with rare serious adverse health events.  The CDC investigated the findings and supported the conclusion that there is no relationship between vaccines and autism rates.

The CDC has labeled autism an urgent health matter.  But it admits that more research needs to be done to better understand the causes of autism.  Early detection requires increased focus.  Effective treatments present a constant challenge.

Everyone must become involved to solve the autism puzzle.  That includes pediatric health care providers, school psychologists, educators, researchers and policymakers.  Last but not least voters must hold elected officials accountable for funding additional autism research.

A country that cherishes its children above all else is a nation with its priorities in order.