New Research Indicates Autism Rates May Be Higher Than Previous Estimates

New information released by the Center for Disease Control indicates that Autism rates are higher than previously estimated based on data from a new study. The results from the study state that the autism rate is 6.6 per 1,000 children and previous estimates suggested 5.5 per 1,000 children.

Autism is often referred to as a "spectrum disorder" because it encompasses a wide range of behavior. Common features include impairments in the areas of social interaction and communication as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The symptoms range from moderate to severe. There is currently no cure for autism.

The study involved intense review of medical and school records in 14 states which included: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. While it presents a better picture of how common autism is in certain parts of the country, the CDC has advised that caution must be used in interpreting these results because these states are not demographically representative of the entire nation. Rates varied from 3.3 per 1,000 children in Alabama to 10.6 per 1,000 children in New Jersey. Individuals conducting the research used health records and school records (including special education records) to look for children who met the diagnostic criteria for autism. A number of factors may have impacted the results including limited access to special education records.

The CDC is trying to develop alternative ways to measure alternative prevalence and has been building a network of university and state health departments who would conduct ongoing surveillance of autism and developmental disabilities.

"This is a more accurate way of reporting because of the methods they use," said Dr. Eric Hollander, who is an autism expert at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

The current study did not specifically answer whether the rates of autism are increasing. It also did not address the causes of autism. Both are controversial topics that parent and advocacy groups want to be addressed. Some doctors have speculated that the diagnosis of autism seems to be increasing due to the fact that the criteria has changed and includes a wider group of children. Research has noted some genetic factors. Environmental factors such as diet and vaccine sensitivity (specifically the MMR vaccine) have also been noted. Both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have not reported any connection other than coincidence between autism and the MMR vaccine.

"We can't make any conclusions about trends yet because the study's database is too new," said Catherine Rice, a CDC behavioral scientist.