In the United States, the amount of children affected by autism has jumped since 2007, reported health officials Wednesday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions said that one in 50 children between the ages of 6 and 17 have some type of autism. Autism awareness may account for the increased numbers of children diagnosed.
Five years ago, the data reported that one in 88 children had autism. Researchers obtained data from a national over-the-phone survey of roughly 96,000 American homes. The independent survey was called the National Survey of Children's Health and was conducted in 2011-2012.
The reason for the increase suggests better diagnosis of autism. The increased awareness of autism may also be a factor in the increase and more children are being diagnosed as they become older. Autism awareness is important to getting children the help that they need.
"What we are seeing is that children who have not been diagnosed in the past are now being diagnosed," he said. "That is likely due to doctors and other health care providers being better at recognizing the more milder symptoms of autism and being able to diagnose those," said Michael Rosanoff, associate director for Public Health Research and Scientific Review at Autism Speaks.
Autism found in children covers a range of conditions and disorders and may consist of mild social awkwardness, as seen in Asperger's Syndrome, to severe symptoms. Some children may be unable to interact as they normally should, may have trouble learning and may require medication. Years ago, the lack of education about autism misdiagnosed children and labeled them as mentally retarded.
As reported by NBC News, parents should not worry and most of the new cases were classified as mild.
"We don't want them to be frightened by the numbers. We want them to recognize that there are things they can do that make a difference in their child's life," said Dr. Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Boys between the ages of 14 to 17 accounted for much of the increase in numbers. According to the report, school-aged boys were four times more likely to have autism than girls of the same age.
