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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a survey of parents to assess the prevalence of autism in the country. About one in 40 children has autism spectrum disorder. ( Jose Antonio Alba | pixabay )
A survey of parents reveals that 2.5% of American children aged 3 to 17 have autism spectrum disorders.
However, do not worry. The last estimate does not necessarily mean that the number is increasing rapidly.
The issues published by the journal pediatrics Monday, November 26, was provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The researchers used data from three periodic surveys, including the 2016 National Child Health Survey and the Eleven-State Tracking System.
Prevalence of autism in the United States
Since no standard test is used to diagnose autism, it is difficult to track the number of children in the spectrum. For this study, the government interviewed the parents and asked them if their child had ever been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The researchers estimated that one in 40 children had autism spectrum disorder. This represents about 1.5 million children across the country.
The number of the new study is much higher than the estimate of a previous report released earlier this year. In April, the CDC estimated that one in every 59 children in the United States had an autism spectrum disorder.
However, Thomas Frazier of Autism Speaks, a rights organization, warned that the number of children with autism spectrum disorders is increasing, but not rapidly. Instead, the methods used by the CDC have become more inclusive, adding more children to the statistics.
Frazier told CNN that the results of the survey "generally agree with those of previous parent surveys and other direct prevalence studies in which researchers are directly looking for an attempt to identify the patient." 39; autism. "
The study has limitations. The fact that it relies on reports from parents means that the diagnosis has not been validated by health experts.
Importance of the diagnosis of autism
Parents who participated in the study also reported that getting a diagnosis and diagnostic services for their children had become a challenge.
Autism is a developmental disorder and, according to experts, children get it better when they are diagnosed and treated early. However, even after parents and teachers have recognized the symptoms of autism, some doctors tend to dismiss them. Some parents are also unaware of the symptoms of autism, which prevents children from getting the help they need as quickly as possible.
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