Autism Information

I have been in several discussions lately, both in person and online, about the issue of Autism. The government has recently decided to pay damages in a case of one little girl who was diagnosed with Autism following a set of vaccinations she recieved. This has long been a hot button issue, and the recent decision has brought it to the fore front once again. I am not a medical professional. I have no scientific or medical training. I have not done hours of research. But I am a Mommy. I have God-given Mommy instincts. I have made certain decisions concerning J's medical care based largely on those instincts. We will discuss that more later. For now, I thought it would be good to share with you some factual information from credible sources. Too many people are out there pushing thier own agenda (on both sides) and presenting "facts not in evidence." I think everyone has the right not only to make healthcare decisions for thier children, but to make INFORMED decisions.

Facts about Autism
Did you know…
-1 in 150 children is diagnosed with autism
-1 in 94 boys is on the autism spectrum
-67 children are diagnosed per day
-A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes
-More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes & cancer combined
-Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S.
-Autism costs the nation over $90 billion per year, a figure expected to double in the next decade -Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases
-Boys are four times more likely than girls to have autism
-There is no medical detection or cure for autism

Incidence vs. Private Funding
Leukemia: Affects 1 in 25,000 / Funding: $310 million
Muscular Dystrophy: Affects 1 in 20,000 / Funding: $175 million
Pediatric AIDS: Affects 1 in 8,000 / Funding: $394 million
Juvenile Diabetes: Affects 1 in 500 / Funding: $130 million
Autism: Affects 1 in 150 / Funding: $15 million

What is autism?
Autism, part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), is a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person's lifetime. The disorder is characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills and social abilities, and also by repetitive behaviors. Symptoms range from mild to severe. One milder form of the disorder is known as Asperger Syndrome. Other developmental disorders that fall under the Autism Spectrum Disorders are Rett Syndrome, PDD NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder), and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder. Parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child or their child's failure to reach appropriate developmental milestones. Some parents describe a child that seemed different from birth, while others describe a child who was developing normally and then lost skills. If you have concerns about your child's development, don't wait: speak to your pediatrician about getting your child screened for autism.

How common is autism?
As many as 1 in 150 children are autistic, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That adds up to almost 1.5 million people in the United States. Also, government statistics suggest the rate of autism is rising 10-17 percent annually. Unfortunately, the numbers appear to be continuing their upward climb. In fact, it is the most prevalent developmental disorder to date; according to the Centers for Disease Control, of the approximately 4 million babies born every year, 24,000 of them will eventually be identified as autistic. Also, recent studies suggest boys are more susceptible than girls to developing autism. In the United States alone, 1 out of 94 boys are suspected of being on the spectrum, with perhaps more going undiagnosed to this day. That said, girls appear to manifest a more severe form of thedisorder than their male counterparts.

How did my child develop autism?
No one knows for sure. Though it's understandable to expect that a disorder as common as autism would have a known cause, in many ways it's still quite mysterious. Recent studies suggest a strong genetic basis for autism -- up to 20 sets of genes may play a part in its development. Genetics alone, however, can't account for all the cases, and so scientists are also looking into possible environmental origins, as well as other triggers.

How can I tell if a child is autistic?
No two autistic kids are alike, but there are some signs that many of them share and that experts agree may be as recognizable as early as the toddler years, or even sooner. Children on the spectrum generally have difficulty relating to others; they may hardly speak, and if they do, they may not communicate in ways that other people can easily understand (they may screech loudly when they're upset, for example, instead of crying). They don't usually sustain eye contact – it's too intense -- and have trouble reading social cues. They're also prone to repetitive behaviors, flapping their hands constantly or uttering the same phrase over and over again. They may also be more sensitive than typically developing children, or dramatically less so, to sights, sounds and touch.

What should I do if I suspect something is wrong with my child?
Don't wait--talk to your doctor about getting child screened for autism. New research shows that children as young as one may exhibit signs of autism, so recognizing early signs and knowing developmental milestones is important. Early intervention is key.

A good place to start doing your own research is autismspeaks.org