By Lisa Ackerman
In December 2013 the University of Minnesota published a study regarding the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) population in Minneapolis. The results documented the ASD overall rate: 1 in 48. Another major finding from the Somali population showed autism rates are 1 in 32 (1.)
In a new report released today two startling findings (2) were announced:
- 2.24% of all US children have autism (increased from 1.25% from 2011-2013 data)
- 1 in 45 are now living with autism (increased 1 in 68 from a 2010 survey)
What is always incredibly shocking to me is the explaining away of any new, increased prevalence number. Here is what USA Today (3) reported:
“A new survey has found a big jump in the number of children with autism, although researchers caution that the increase is likely due to the way that questions were asked.”
I am wondering what is the most popular question today for expectant parents? Is it what car seat should we buy? Should we let the baby sleep in our bed? When should we start feeding the baby solids? Bottle or breast fed? Or is it: WILL OUR CHILD HAVE AUTISM? Sadly the rate continues to go up and for anyone planning on or having a baby I’d move the autism question to the top of your list.
Remind me again how autism is not declared an epidemic? Why is it most wish to explain autism away? Meanwhile, at TACA, we add 600 new families every month that are struggling with an autism diagnosis and concerned about their child’s future.
I am not surprised by the new autism prevalence, I am just sad. What does the number have to be for someone outside the autism community to care, activate and drive for answers?
(Note: We just made this graphic 2 weeks ago. We have to update it again.)
References
- https://tacanowblog.com/2013/12/19/autism-in-minneapolis-1-in-48/
- http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr087.pdf
- http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/11/13/study-finds-more-than-2-children-have-autism/75673774/
Moving Autism Forward by Team TACA 
Startling new numbers. When will the circle be unbroken?
Sharing Lisa! This is insane information. Thank you for posting.
I ask myself that same question almost daily – how high do the numbers have to go before someone, ANYONE outside of our “community” gives a shit?!?!?!?!?
Lisa, we all have the same questions and fears but the greatest fear is who will love our children the way we do when we are no longer around to care for them? I do not trust the system. Let’s pray for answers, a cure and lets just pray for miracles. That I still believe in.
The CDC is attempting to explain the Autism increase away by saying that the questions were changed. If we changed the questions on a Cancer survey… we would still have cancer. The increase is NOT because of the way the questions were asked, NOT because children live near highways, not because of older parents, not because of air,not because of refrigerator mothers, and certainly NOT because of “Better Diagnosis.” Children rocking back and forth, little to no speech or eye contact with serious digestive issues while throwing things across the room would NOT have gone Undiagnosed 25 years ago! See “Recovering Autism, ADHD, & Special Needs.”