April is Autism Awareness Month, and the number of children
diagnosed with the condition is increasing dramatically. A new report shows that one in eighty-eight
children have the condition. This report
was documented by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This report found that boys are five times more at risk to
be diagnosed with autism than girls. African-American
and Latino children also saw the biggest rise.
Highest numbers of children with autism were reported in Utah and lowest
numbers were reported in Alabama according to the report.
"One thing the data tells us with certainty — there are many
children and families who need help,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. “We
must continue to track autism spectrum disorders because this is the
information communities need to guide improvements in services to help
children.”
Children who have autistic symptoms are being detected
earlier. This report studied children
who were born in the year 2000 and 18% were diagnosed with the condition by
three years old. In 2006 when this same
report was done, only 12% were diagnosed by the same age.
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