Autism Diagnoses on the Rise

Author: mom_to_one, 10 06th, 2009
autism news

As reported recently in the Los Angeles Times, many more 8-year-olds have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder than was the case just two years ago. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ASDs were diagnosed in about 1 out of 100 Americans of that age. Two years ago the government estimated something along the lines of 1 in 150.

Autism spectrum disorders include autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome and atypical autism. Scientists at the National Institute of Mental Health were quick to point out that a higher diagnosis rate is not necessarily a cause for concern. Some suspect that the ability to discern the disorder has advanced with medical technology. Although it’s hard to draw definitive conclusions from this autism news, it certainly serves as a reminder about the problems associated with the disorder.

For many concerned parents, the question becomes how best to treat the disorder and free their children from a life rife with miscommunication and frustration. As always, the key is to trace the problem back to its source. If a child has undergone vaccination in the last few years, it’s important to schedule an appointment with a pediatrician to test for mercury traces in the body.


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