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/ Source: Associated press
How many American children have autism? The US government answers this question in at least three different ways and says the latest estimate – 1 child in 40 – does not necessarily mean the numbers are increasing.
The new issue, published Monday in Pediatrics, comes from one of three periodic surveys used by the government to assess autism rates. This is higher than the estimate of another survey published earlier this year, but surveys use different methods and measure different child populations, so the results are not really comparable.
Since there is no medical test, "autism spectrum disorders are particularly difficult to follow," government researchers wrote in the Pediatrics report.
The true incidence of autism is likely to range from about 1 in 59 children to 1 in 40 children, according to the researchers, taking into account information from the three surveys.
"All bring different information to form a more complete picture," said Michael Kogan, lead author of the new report by the US Health Resources & Services Administration, a federal agency.
Various reports in recent years have suggested that autism rates were up slightly. Experts believe that this is mainly due to early diagnosis, a broader definition and increased awareness, but they can not exclude a real increase due to unknown factors.
Here is an overview of the three surveys:
– The latest estimate is based on the responses of about 43,000 parents of children aged 3 to 17 years old. They were asked if their child had ever been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, an official name that includes mild to severe cases. The 2016 survey was based on the Internet; Previous polls were telephone surveys showing slightly higher rates, but researchers say the results are not comparable,
The nationally representative survey suggests that about 1.5 million American children have autism – 2.5%, or 1 in 40.
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collect nationally representative information from face-to-face interviews. In 2016, he also asked parents of children aged 3 to 17 years old to have already been diagnosed with autism and scored a slightly higher rate than in previous years, but similar to the estimate of 1 in 40.
– The CDC also uses an 11-state tracking system. It is based on medical and school records showing which children meet the criteria for autism, focusing on children aged 8, because most cases are diagnosed at this age. A report from this network published in April showed that one in 59 children had autism, although much higher rates were seen in some places. This estimate is considered to be the most rigorous, but it is not representative at the national level.
Autism Speaks, a lobby group, is one of the organizations that use the CDC network estimate. It tends to be more conservative and potentially more accurate than parents' reports, said neuroscientist Dean Hartley, the group's senior director.
Autism is a developmental disorder that can involve varying degrees of language and social impairment, often including repetitive behaviors.
According to experts, early diagnosis and treatment are more appropriate for affected children, but some doctors may dismiss early signs and some parents may not be aware of the symptoms of autism, said CDC's Dr. Stuart Shapira.
The pediatric survey found that about one-third of children with autism reported by parents were not receiving any behavioral treatment and that many parents were having difficulty getting services for their children. children, echoing previous studies.
Shapira noted that the agency has a free Milestone Tracker phone app to help parents recognize developmental delays.
The Associated Press Science & Science Department is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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