CDC estimates 1 in 68 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 68 children (or 14.7 per 1,000 eight-year-olds) in multiple communities in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  This new estimate is roughly 30 percent higher than previous estimates reported in 2012 of 1 in 88 children (11.3 per 1,000 eight year olds) being identified with an autism spectrum disorder.    The number of children identified with ASD ranged from 1 in 175 children in Alabama to 1 in 45 children in New Jersey.

The surveillance summary report, “Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children Aged 8 Years – Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2010,” was published today in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.  Researchers reviewed records from community sources that educate, diagnose, treat and/or provide services to children with developmental disabilities. The criteria used to diagnose ASDs and the methods used to collect data have not changed.

The data continue to show that ASD is almost five times more common among boys than girls:  1 in 42 boys versus 1 in 189 girls. White children are more likely to be identified as having ASD than are black or Hispanic children.

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If you suspect that your child may have ASD:

• Talk to your child’s doctor about your concerns.
• At the same time, call your local early intervention program or school system for a free evaluation.
• It’s never too late to get help for your child.

For additional information on:

• Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network and this report, visitwww.cdc.gov/autism.
• CDC’s autism research, visit www.cdc.gov/SEED  
• Community Report from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
• Developmental milestone checklists and other resources to help families track their child’s development, visit www.cdc.gov/milestones.
• What to do if you are concerned about your child’s development, visit www.cdc.gov/Concerned.
• State’s early intervention contact information, visitwww.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/parents/states.html.
• Birth to 5: Watch Me Thrive, is part of a coordinated federal effort to encourage developmental and behavioral screening and support for children, families, and the providers who care for them. Watch for updates at www.hhs.gov/watchmethrive (expected to be announced later today). 

Autism Programs Work Best When Started Early

By Cole Petrochko, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Reviewed by Dori F. Zaleznik, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston

Intensive behavior programs for autism spectrum disorders were moderately effective at improving core deficits, particularly when started shortly after diagnosis, but additional and stronger research on these programs is needed, a systematic review found.

Action Points

• A policy statement on nonmedical interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders suggests that early, comprehensive, intense, and longer-duration interventions are most likely to assist with core deficits.
• Note that strength of evidence from review of systematic reviews and intervention studies was not considered high and thus the policy committee could not distinguish among techniques nor assess characteristics of children most likely to benefit; further research was recommended.

A policy statement from the Evidence-based Practice Center on behavioral interventions for autism found that programs offering comprehensive, intense, and long-duration interventions started shortly after diagnosis and for at least 25 hours a week may offer the best outcomes, according to Margaret Maglione, MPP, of the Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center in Santa Monica, and colleagues.

Interventions should address social communication, language, play skills, and maladaptive behavior, they wrote online in Pediatrics.  READ MORE >>

Newly diagnosed? Get the FREE "100 Day Kit"

Download the 100 Day Kit at Autism Speaks™

The Autism Speaks 100 Day Kit and the Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Tool Kit were created specifically for newly diagnosed families to make the best possible use of the 100 days following their child's diagnosis of autism or AS/HFA.

Anyone can download the 100 Day Kit for free! You can also view a web-version of each section by clicking on the links below. PDF files are available on each site. Click here to download the entire kit.

100 Day Kit Sections
Autism Diagnosis, Causes and Symptoms
Family Tips: Sharing, Caring and the Future
Early Intervention and Education Rights
Information on Therapies and Treatments
Assembling and Managing Your Team
10 Things Your Child Wishes You Knew
Resources by Topic
Action Plan for the Next 100 Days
Safety Tips
Useful Forms
Glossary

Request A 100 Day Kit

Families whose children have been diagnosed in the last 6 months may request a complimentary hard copy of the 100 Day Kit or the AS/HFA Tool Kit by calling 888-AUTISM2 (888-288-4762) and speaking with an Autism Response Team Coordinator. *Note: We are unable to ship kits internationally.

New! Through a generous partnership with FedEx, after calling an Autism Response Team Coordinator and providing them with your information, you can pick up a complimentary printed copy of the 100 Day Kit or AS/HFA Kit at a FedEx Office location near you!

Brain Imaging Could Detect Autism Risk in Infants as Young as 6 Months

Early intervention may help curb some of the more severe symptoms of autism. The question is, How do we identify at-risk children early enough?

By ALICE PARK
Full story: Time Healthland

A new study offers some good news for families with autism. Most children affected by the disorder do not have intellectual disabilities, the study finds, and even among the severely low-functioning, about 10% may improve dramatically over time, with some growing out of their diagnosis by their teens.

The study tracked nearly 7,000 autistic children born in California between 1992 and 2001. The group included most of the children who received an autism diagnosis in the state during that time period. The kids were followed from diagnosis to age 14 or the oldest age they had reached by the time...

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