New explanation for huge increase in autism
Suddenly schools have more autistic kids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated last year that autism increased 60 percent among boys and 48 among girls between 2002 and 2006. But a new study of Wisconsin’s schools that has national implications suggests the increase may mostly show that schools and doctors have gotten better at diagnosing the disorder.
The study, conducted by researchers from UW-Madison’s Waisman Center, also found that the number of autism cases identified in the state’s schools appears to be leveling off since the big increases of earlier years.
The CDC has calculated that 1 in 110 children now have the disorder, which is marked by difficulty communicating and socializing. The behaviors of people with autism are sometimes unusually repetitive, and their interests can be limited but very intense – leading to the term “little professor syndrome,” a nickname for Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.
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About The Author
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts is founder of Support for Special Needs and has been a regular contributor since its inception in May 2010. A mom to two kids with special needs, she didn't want other parents to feel what is the often isolating world of raising a child (or two!) with disabilities. Her kids had kidney transplants at the age of eight and will need liver transplants in the future as a result of ARPKD/CHF. They both have vision disorders and learning disabilities.
Keep in mind that Wisconsin also saw a big increase in number of cases of autism because many families moved to Wisconsin and, in particular, Madison, because of the opportunity of getting good services for their child. Wisconsin has a few great organizations that provide in-home therapy to children with autism. I have heard that these services are better than what many other states offer.