Autism Rate Doubles in California over 4 Years (Liberalism?)

Reuters ^ | May 13, 2003 | Gina Keating

[nwrep]

Calif. Autism Rate Doubles in Four Years -Study

Tue May 13, 7:57 PM ET

Add Science - Reuters to My Yahoo!

By Gina Keating

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Autism cases in California nearly doubled over the past four years to more than 20,000 -- a phenomenon whose cause may be difficult to pinpoint because it is not related to population increases or the way the disorder is diagnosed, a state study said on Tuesday.

The study, conducted by the California Department of Developmental Services, tracked the number of autism cases referred to 21 regional centers where patients and their families receive government-funded services.

The report showed that the agency's caseload increased 97 percent -- from 10,360 in December 1998 to 20,337 four years later.

Autism is a lifelong neurological disorder that primarily strikes boys, impairing their ability to communicate, interact and emotionally bond with others. Once a rare disorder, autism now is more prevalent than childhood cancer, diabetes and Down syndrome, the study's author, Dr. Ron Huff, said.

The spectacular rate of increase for autism dwarfs rises of 35 percent to 49 percent for new cases of mental retardation, cerebral palsy and epilepsy in California, he said.

"We are convinced that this is for real," Huff said. "It has to be taken seriously." Huff's study was a follow-up to an earlier report ordered by California lawmakers that showed a 273 percent rise in autism cases statewide between 1987 to 1998.

"All through the 1970s to the mid-1980s, we were looking at a couple of hundred (autistic) kids each year," Huff said. "Over the next decade we were looking at thousands of new cases each year. Parents were reporting anecdotally that there were a lot more of these kids out there that anyone believed."

A parallel study, funded by the state and conducted at UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, showed that the dramatic increases in California's autism caseload were not due to changes in population or reporting criteria.

"The study has proven two very clear things: the validity of the diagnosis has not changed and the kids are not moving to California for the services," the study's author, Dr. Marian Sigman, said. "That still leaves us with the puzzle of why are we getting this increase in number of cases."

Preliminary results of a study commissioned by the Department of Developmental Services found high levels of a naturally occurring protein in the blood of newborns who later developed autism, Huff said. That study's conclusions are due in about three years, he said.

[TrebleRebel]

I would still be interested in some more indepth information re: the method of diagnosis. Are they referring to all diagnoses on the autism spectrum? Or are they referring to more involved levels of autism? This could also be the result of heightened awareness amongst parents, educators, and diagnosticians.

This is very interesting.

[Petronski]

This could also be the result of heightened awareness amongst parents, educators, and diagnosticians.

That'd be my bet.

[Rander7]

I have a grandson who is autistic, and our 15 yr. old is currently being tested for Asperger's Syndrome, which is a mild form of autism...there are some studies being done, to see if vaccinations in childhood could be the culprit.

[Natural Law]

My daughter heads an autism program in our local public school system here in California and deals with this issue daily. The California numbers are skewed because many parents are forcing an autism diagnosis for children who are actually retarded. It seems that having an autistic child is more socially acceptable and politically correct in some circules than having a retarded child.

[Incorrigible]

Autism Bump List

[Calpernia]

YES! There is a difference with Autism and Autistic like behavior. As long as criteria can be met from various diagnoses, you can be labeled autistic and not be a patient with true autism.

[luckystarmom]

There is one area in New Jersey that has very high rates of autism compared to other parts of the country.

I'm in a online group of parents that have speech problems. Many of the parents have autistic kids and are from that area. They suspect that it may be some sort of environmental or chemcial factor, but so far the increase cannot be explained.

I think the cause of autism is not known, and there needs to be more research. Some people think it is caused by vaccine, but so far no one can explain it. Very strange.

[luckystarmom]

In the speech group that I belong to, many of the kids have been mis-diagnosed as autistic when they really had a speech disorder.

I'm very lucky that no one ever misdiagnosed my daughter.

[I'm ALL Right!]

My mother is extremely paranoid about autism every time we have to take the kids for another round of immunizations. I definitely think there is a link.

[Rander7]

Yes...Our son and family live in Delaware, and not being far from John Hopkins, they heard that JH was doing in depth studies re: autism and vaccines...it makes sense being that over the past 30 years there has been an increase of the number of childhood vaccines given...

[NormsRevenge]

Here's a couple of links from a thread , Were Einstein, Newton Autistic?, from a few weeks ago.

I would be curious what the breakdown is for the following out of the increased in numbers reported.

Families of Adults Afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome - Volunteers Needed for Research Into Asperger Syndrome - Click here --> FAAAS, Inc.™

FAAAS Contents page

OASIS: Online Asperger Syndrome Information & Support

[ImphClinton]

No. That is not possible. Autism is deffinately increasing in America. It is most likely caused by a drug used to preserve vacines prior to their use. This drug is known to have this as a side effect yet the government continues to use it claiming it only causes it in 1 in a million children. Just like they used to say Prozac only caused impotence in 1% of patients (that figure is now 10%).

Now I do not know which is the bigger danger. Vacines are certinally necessary. However the drug is much worse when the shots are done all at once. If the DPT were done in three shots a month apart children would be much safer yet schools often require they be received together.

If you have children do all you can to make sure they receive no more than one shot per month. Make sure they receive no combination shots expecially when under three.

[ImphClinton]

My sister takes her children there for special medical attention two have autism. She has seen much of this research and claims they have isolated the particular drug. It is used in all vacines as a preservative. She says that the combinations are expecially bad. She claims the drug is most likely safe if shots are a month apart and single not combinations. Evidently the drug disipates in two weeks to a month.

[davisdoug]

I have been following this recently. I live in California and my nephew (now 3) has autism. I am about to become a first time dad in September and would like any additional information you may have regarding this. UC Davis just opened the new MIND Institute which was started by four families spearheading a 40MM dollar campaign. Supposed to be one of the best research facilities in the world. Thanks in advance for any additional information you may have.

[Hildy]

How ironic, because I believe autism is the exact opposite of retardation.

[Hildy]

My nephew, born in Southern California 15 years ago is autistic.

[BADROTOFINGER]

Method of diagnosis? How about this...

Crat #1, "He seems to be acting odd..."

Crat #2, "We could say he has autism and get an extra $8000 from the federal government."

Crat #1, "Autism it must be then. Tragic."

Any questions?
JFK

[davisdoug]

My sister has been doing everything she can to assist and help her son cope. He did just say "daddy" two weeks ago but seeing this first hand is certainly scary. He currently is getting attention at Children's Hospital in Oakland and I am hoping this helps the family learn and grow. My sister is a 15 year cancer survivor so I know she has the fortitude and medical acumen to guide the family through the system.