The Rising Prevalence Of Autism

Original article here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of autism among U.S. children has risen significantly in recent years.

Statista’s Felix Richter reports that while 6.7 in 1,000 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2000, that number had risen to 27.6 in 1,000 children by 2020. This means that currently 1 in 36 children in the U.S. get diagnosed with ASD, up from 1 in 150 children 20 years ago.

You will find more infographics at Statista

The reasons for this increase in prevalence are not fully understood and are likely complex.

Some possible factors that have been proposed include better awareness and screening for autism, changes in diagnostic criteria, and environmental or genetic factors.

Regardless of the reasons, this rise in the number of children with autism highlights the importance of early identification and intervention to help children with ASD reach their full potential.

In recent years, major progress has been made in increasing awareness and acceptance of autism.

Thanks to that progress, many people are now aware that autism spectrum disorders are a very diverse group of conditions, that go far beyond the often-stereotypical depictions of autism in film and television.

According to the World Health Organization, autism spectrum disorders are “characterized by some degree of difficulty with social interaction and communication. Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activities and behaviours, such as difficulty with transition from one activity to another, a focus on details and unusual reactions to sensations.”

This year’s World Autism Awareness Day, celebrated on April 2, promoted the transformation away from the narrative of curing or converting autistic people towards a focus on accepting, supporting and including them.

“Toward a Neuro-Inclusive World for All” is the motto of this year’s observance, organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications and Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), an organization established and run by neurodivergent people for neurodivergent people and allies.

By PatriotmanPublished On: April 5, 2023Categories: Uncategorized3 Comments

About the Author: Patriotman

Patriotman currently ekes out a survivalist lifestyle in a suburban northeastern state as best as he can. He has varied experience in political science, public policy, biological sciences, and higher education. Proudly Catholic and an Eagle Scout, he has no military experience and thus offers a relatable perspective for the average suburban prepper who is preparing for troubled times on the horizon with less than ideal teams and in less than ideal locations. Brushbeater Store Page: http://bit.ly/BrushbeaterStore

3 Comments

Justice Irritanus April 5, 2023 at 11:20

The major contributor to the “significant rise” is the changes to diagnosing autism from the DSM4 to the DSM5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) which recently happened after 20-or-so years. Autism diagnosis was the very great (as in large) change to the DSM with almost nothing changed elsewhere in it. This is a manufactured problem. For those of us who might have been diagnosed as being “on the autistic spectrum” 50 years ago (had the current system been in place) we were punched in the mouth and that seemed to cure us – amazingly – of our social disfunction.
Überdeplorable Psychedelic Cat Grass April 5, 2023 at 15:30

One of my kids probably has it; I’m curious what the environmental factor(s) that contribute to it.
SRKAddict April 5, 2023 at 17:01

I would guess that some environmental factors would be, women are having kids much later in life. This is known to have some risks associated with it. More people are on meds, that can’t help. More Mom’s are stressed or have become woke, which makes you angry and can’t be good for the babies development.