On Tuesday, the 15th of April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report stating that there has been an increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to their findings, one in 31 school-age children has been diagnosed by age eight.
This is a substantial increase from previous estimates; only one in 54 children were diagnosed in 2016, and one in 150 in 2000. These rising numbers are concerning and require further research and understanding of this complex disorder.
Zachary Warren, executive director of the Treatment and Research Institute for autism spectrum disorders at Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, emphasized that the surge in autism diagnoses can be largely attributed to advancements in detection techniques and increased awareness of the disorder.
He stated that doctors have become more proficient in identifying individuals with autism. Additionally, as a society, we have developed a better understanding of autism and its complexities, leading to improved recognition and diagnosis.
Autism is more common among boys.
It’s worth noting that the study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network spanned across 16 locations in 14 states, including Arizona, California, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Surprisingly, the findings showed a significantly higher prevalence of autism diagnosis among boys compared to girls, with boys being three times more likely to be diagnosed. Furthermore, children from Black and Hispanic backgrounds were found to have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with autism compared to their white counterparts.
In short, there was a noticeable margin in the prevalence and severity of autism within various racial and ethnic groups, as pointed out by the report. Once again, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that children from Black, Asian, and Hispanic backgrounds have a higher probability of experiencing severe forms of autism compared to their white counterparts.
Extensive research on the origins of autism
The CDC’s current discoveries coincide with ongoing endeavors to unravel the underlying factors contributing to autism. In an official statement, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared his intentions to form teams of experts to conduct extensive research on the origins of autism. Their ultimate goal is to unveil crucial insights by September.
As efforts continue towards understanding and addressing autism, Sacramento ABA Therapy would like to extend our appreciation to all organizations involved in raising awareness about Autism.
Every child deserves access to care and compassion, and that is why we are here to support them. Together, through awareness, research, and dedicated services, we can build a more inclusive and empowering future for individuals on the Autism spectrum.
