CDC says autism is on the rise nationally
December 20, 2009
Autism affects about 1 in every 110 American children, a 57 percent increase over the last estimate in 2002, according to a report released yesterday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The disturbing trend reflects greater awareness and diagnosis of “autism spectrum disorders,” but may also mean more children are being exposed to the still-mysterious causes, said Catherine Rice, lead author of the CDC report.
The CDC, Rice said, considers autism “to be a significant public health issue.”
It has become steadily more common, and in 2002, the CDC estimated the prevalence to be 1 in 150 children.
The latest estimate is based on reviews of records of 8-year-olds in 11 sites across the country.
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