The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports there is a 57 percent increase in autism diagnoses over the last estimate in 2002, or roughly one in 110 American children, up from one in 150 American children. The CDC considers autism to be a significant public health issue.Catherine Rice, lead author of the CDC report, believes the trend reflects greater awareness and diagnosis of “autism spectrum disorders”. It may also mean more children are being exposed to the yet unknown causes. Rice went on to say, “We know complex genetic and environmental factors are involved, and we have much to learn about the causes.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, about 5-10 percent of individuals with autism have the condition strictly due to genetic or environmental factors. Environmental factors may occur during the pregnancy or following birth. Some genetic causes may include chromosome abnormalities as well as alterations in a single gene among the chromosomes. Parents of children who have been diagnosed with autism are advised to see a geneticist.
Bob Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, said in a statement, “We need meaningful action now that acknowledges the scope of the problem and allocates the resources necessary to take the fight against autism to a new level.Autism rates are lowest in Florida and highest in Arizona and Missouri, although rates increased in all geographic regions, sexes, and all ethnic and racial groups. Males are affected by a rate of more than 4 to 1 over females.
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