Autism: More Common Than We Thought?

By Jenn Savedge, MNN

There is no doubt that the number of children diagnosed with autism has increased dramatically over the last few years. Is it because more children are actually autistic or is it because teachers and parents are simply better at detecting the signs and symptoms of the disorder? Probably a combination of both.

Considering the Cause of Autism

Recently, a group of researchers set about to determine just how prevalent autism is in our modern society. Their results were shocking, even to them. The international team of investigators from the U.S., South Korea and Canada evaluated 55,000 children in Goyang, South Korea, and found the prevalence of autism to be 2.64 percent — or about one in every 38 children.

The biggest difference between this study and similar autism studies is that the researchers evaluated all school children — not just those who were already flagged as having potential for behavioral or academic problems.

Do Toxins Cause Autism

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Read more: Health, News & Issues, autism

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Teresa W.

7:57AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

Joyce may be right.

send a green star

10:38AM PST on Dec 17, 2011

very sad

Faith B.

6:02AM PDT on Oct 14, 2011

thank you for this article

Joyce D.

2:48AM PDT on Oct 14, 2011

& thank you for this great article, & everyone for sharing their personal experiences, ideas, opinions, questions, & every comment which spreads the awareness & shares the care!

The incidence of autism is growing, we must identify & so all we can to isolate, & counter, the cause, & identify all those factors that exacerbate this condition (& alzheimers, parkinsons, cancer) & stop the escalation of these debilitating diseases.

2:44AM PDT on Oct 14, 2011

Certainly chemicals, any pollutant that stresses the body exacerbates any physical condition. If your body is so overloaded/overdosed with vaccinations, for example, that the conductivity of the synapses are compromised, then of course every additional toxic element adds to it, because the body is already struggling to overcome - & the body's system is possibly not functioning correctly. I think that is why other symptoms appear, suchas digestion/bowels, allergies & food adversity, because the cody is so overloaded already. We should be doing everythign we can for EVERY body, ALL of us, to clean the air & our bodies of toxins, the environment of pollutants, to give us ALL the chance to overcome - autism, alzheimers, cancer - we are ALL subject to these poisons.

Peace

2:35AM PDT on Oct 14, 2011

@Rebecca Odle - it is NEVER too late, but time does matter. although it is true that early intervention is valuable, there are many who have fought the fight later. One warning though, it gets HARDER to GET HELP as the child gets older. After age 5 many supposed proponents & supports give up - but the family - hopefully EVERYONE in the family - must NEVER give up. AUTISTIC children are intelligent, they are children, young people, they have just been so overloaded & their systems 'broken' & burdened by poisons/toxins, that they have a much harder challenge than the rest. EVERY natural intervention (diet change including gluten free, preservative free, & limiting processed sugars - actually limiting processed anything is an easy thing that can help, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE - the inability to potty train for example is NOT a 'choice' & the child is probably already aware or becoming aware that they 'should' have more control & it is VERY frustrating burden on THEIR self confidence to reacognize they do not have the control expected & that they see other children having. The parents MUST advocate & demand to get the supports needed to give their child the help they will need to address these challenges. It is thankless, tiresome, frustrating, but you can NEVER give up! There are so many ideas & things to try, finding local supports/others who know the system in your state will help. Also any help you can provide to help the parents fight the fight

Eternal G.

11:49PM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

Or how the environment influences us!

Rebecca O.

7:33AM PDT on May 17, 2011

My sister and brother-n-law just admitted to themselves that their son has autism. Now at age 7 I wonder if they can do anything to help him. He doesn't talk, blankly stares at you, not potty trained and not your typical child. The school, in my opinion, doesn't help him. They live in the western part of MA any suggestions I would appreciate. Than you

Emily S.

10:19AM PDT on May 16, 2011

very sad...