Why are there starting to be more autistic children in the US?

Question

I have nothing against autism but I have recently been hearing more children are being diagnosed with this disease and wanted to know why.

Answer 1

There are not more autistic children. There are only more children being DIAGNOSED with autism.

Answer 2

There has been a broadening of the diagnostic criteria so now more people are included on the autistic spectrum where previously, they would have been diagnosed with something else. It's not just children, the rates have increased among all age groups. Also, diagnoses of other conditions like mental retardation and schizhphrenia have declined almost proportonially to the increase in autism. So what you really have is the same number of people with these disabilities, only now some are classified as something else. Hope this helps explain it for you-there is a lot of bad information out there. Also, autism is not a disease.

Answer 3

There has become more understanding about autism and doctors, teachers and others are recognizing it sooner and it is getting diagnosed sooner. There are more interventions and therapies available now and parents are finding help at an earlier age when 30 years ago these children would have been labeled "retarded" or something else with no source of help. Now there are lots of therapies, schools and help for these children and some high functioning forms of autism allow children to grow up and have families and "normal" lives.

Answer 4

We don't know. According to most scientists, the CDC, NIMHD, etc., autism is believed to be caused by a genetic predisposition combined with an environmental trigger. The triggers being studied are toxins, infections, metabolic disturbances, and other things. We don't yet know if there is an actual increase or if it is the result of better diagnosing.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/faq_prevalence.htm


BTW, insurance coverage has nothing to do with it. Insurance companies generally don't cover autism, except for occupational therapy, which is minor compared to what is actually needed, and not all kids need it. People have been lobbying for this to be changed, and there is legislation proposed for insurance companies to cover autism, but it is being met with a lot of opposition.

Answer 5

I believe it is a combination of factors including environmental and genetics.

I also believe that some children are misdiagnosed with autism when they have an underlying condition such as, Angelman syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Williams syndrome, etc.

Recent estimates in the world of Fragile X estimate that 1 in 100 to 200 women are carriers of Fragile X, carriers typically have no symptoms and often Fragile X will silently exist in families for generations before the condition is diagnosed.

Answer 6

this is poor the way the nurse and checklist dealt with your nephew. next time a so referred to as "expert" says something like the youngster is 'misbehaving' or 'no longer speaking' heavily look at them and say in basic terms as rude, "nicely, DUUUUH. Do you have a clue regarding the features of an autistic toddler?" in the event that they say they do or you're making excuses, than say, "nicely what are they? What are the features?" you should comprehend in the event that they have a clue or no longer at that factor, and in the event that they do, it would be very sparkling that they are not handling him correct. he's no longer a 'badly behaved youngster' he's autistic- there's a international of distinction. I actual have worked in the familiar public colleges with toddlers on the spectrum and maximum colleges have plenty extra information of Autism, Aspergers, and have particular academic plans for them. So, the final information is transforming into. yet i think of that regular specific, there needs to be extra practise on autism in colleges, familiar inhabitants and surprisingly in the scientific container. proper needs to you and your sister, newphew for a effective and chuffed life with inclusive people surrounding your nephew.

Answer 7

My theory is that there is more information out there for Parents and Others to learn about Autism.

Plus if anyone is a war veteran, then there is more research being done on Agent Orange, but the VA hospitals won't admit it causes Autism just like they have found out Agent Orange has caused Spina Bifida.

Answer 8

i think its genetic. i think there's a gene for it that runs in families because i know families that have more than 1 relative with autism. i think when people with that gene have kids, the kids have a 50/50 chance of having autism. i don't know if this answer is correct but it makes sense and it could explain why its happening more and more often.

Answer 9

Insurances now cover it as an actual condition. In the past it was treated as a behavioral problem and not a treatable condition. It is not so much that more cases per capita are being diagnosed just that more are being treated.

Answer 10

Hello, as our environment becomes increasingly toxic, more and more medical diseases, including Autism will continue to rise. Indoor air quality is especially toxic. Did you know 75% of homes are toxic?