News & Press Releases

National Autism Diagnosis Rate Increases to 1 in 150 Children

Autism Society of Illinois joins other autism organizations to request $52 million in additional funding from Illinois

PRESS RELEASE
Lombard, IL, (February 9, 2007) —  The Autism Society of America (ASA), parent organization of Autism Society of Illinois,  announced that Autism Spectrum Disorder affects approximately an average of 1 child in every 150, up from 1 in every 166.  In data collected from its Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM), a study that surveyed 8 year olds in 2000 and 2002, the CDC found that the data confirm that this information will help the cause of improving the lives of all those affected by autism.

This news comes just two days after the Autism Society of Illinois and other autism organizations demanded Illinois legislators approve $52 million in funding for Illinois adults and children who are currently not receiving much-needed services.

With autism’s national projected increase of 10-17% per year, this is a gap that will only widen.  The number of children in Illinois receiving special education with autism as a primary diagnosis has grown from 1,960 to 9,455 (more than 450% increase) in just ten years (1996 – 2006).  This number does not include the huge number of adults in the state or children along the spectrum of autism.

 “The theme of our campaign is ‘No Place Like Home’ because much of the funding we are requesting will allow adults and children with autism to be cared for in their homes, which is a less expensive and more beneficial option,”  explains Kimberly Maddox, Autism Society of Illinois Executive Director. 

ASA believes the CDC numbers are tremendously significant.  "Finally, we can end the debate on the prevalence of autism in our nation and focus on getting the services and supports the families need," said Lee Grossman, ASA president and CEO. “Autism is a treatable lifelong condition that affects tens of millions of Americans today.  It is time to aggressively address this national health crisis.” The CDC is recommending public health actions to improve early identification of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

The CDC study includes children with behaviors consistent with autism, Asperger’s and pervasive developmental delays not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). The data came from 14 sites in five states (Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, South Carolina and West Virginia). The study also found higher prevalence in boys than girls (a range of 2.8 6 boys to girls, depending on the state) and no statistically significant difference among non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic black children.

Colleen Boyle of the CDC noted that the study showed the age of diagnosis (at between 4-5 years of age) was much later than the age at which developmental concern was registered (before 24 months), underscoring the need for earlier identification of autism.

To read the study in full, please visit www.cdc.gov/autism.The Autism Society of Illinois serves residents of the state in the area of education, supportive services and legislative work.  For more information, go to www.autismillinois.org or call Kimberly Maddox at 630-691-1270.