{"id":13176,"date":"2025-04-16T17:42:29","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T21:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/?p=13176"},"modified":"2025-04-16T17:42:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T21:42:29","slug":"us-autism-cases-climbing-at-alarming-rate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2025\/04\/16\/us-autism-cases-climbing-at-alarming-rate\/","title":{"rendered":"US Autism Cases Climbing At Alarming Rate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Health Secretary Sounds Alarm on Rising Autism Cases<\/h1>\n

Introduction to the Issue<\/h2>\n

By AMANDA SEITZ<\/p>\n

WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. warned that children in the U.S. are being diagnosed with autism at an \u201calarming rate,\u201d promising on Wednesday to conduct exhaustive studies to identify any environmental factors that may cause the developmental disorder.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

His call comes the day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that found an estimated 1 in 31 U.S. children have autism, a marked increase from 2020.<\/p>\n

The Current State of Autism Diagnosis<\/h2>\n

Understanding the Numbers<\/h3>\n

Autism experts applaud efforts to further understand the condition, but say the number of reported cases began to balloon as the definition of the condition expanded to include mild cases.<\/p>\n

\u201cAutism destroys families,\u201d Kennedy said. \u201cMore importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be suffering like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Complexity of Autism<\/h3>\n

Kennedy described autism as a \u201cpreventable disease,\u201d although researchers and scientists have identified genetic factors that are associated with it. Autism is not considered a disease, but a complex disorder that affects the brain. Cases range widely in severity, with symptoms that can include delays in language, learning, and social or emotional skills. Some autistic traits can go unnoticed well into adulthood.<\/p>\n

Searching for Causes<\/h2>\n

Environmental and Genetic Factors<\/h3>\n

Those who have spent decades researching autism have found no single cause. Besides genetics, scientists have identified various possible factors, including the age of a child\u2019s father, the mother\u2019s weight, and whether she had diabetes or was exposed to certain chemicals.<\/p>\n

Kennedy said his wide-ranging plan to determine the cause of autism will look at all of those environmental factors, and others. He had previously set a September deadline for determining what causes autism, but said Wednesday that by then, his department will determine at least \u201csome\u201d of the answers.<\/p>\n

Research Efforts<\/h3>\n

The effort will involve issuing grants to universities and researchers, Kennedy said. He said the researchers will be encouraged to \u201cfollow the science, no matter what it says.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Trump administration has recently canceled billions of dollars in grants for health and science research sent to universities.<\/p>\n

Latest Data and Trends<\/h2>\n

CDC Report Findings<\/h3>\n

The CDC\u2019s latest autism data was from 14 states and Puerto Rico in 2022. The previous estimate \u2014 from 2020 \u2014 was 1 in 36.<\/p>\n

Boys continue to be diagnosed more than girls, and the highest rates are among children who are Asian\/Pacific Islander, American Indian\/Alaska Native and Black.<\/p>\n

Estimating Autism Prevalence<\/h3>\n

To estimate how common autism is, the CDC checked health and school records for 8-year-olds, because most cases are diagnosed by that age. Other researchers have their own estimates, but experts say the CDC\u2019s estimate is the most rigorous and the gold standard.<\/p>\n

Expert Insights and Reactions<\/h2>\n

Critique of Awareness Theories<\/h3>\n

On Wednesday, Kennedy criticized theories that the rise in autism cases can be attributed to more awareness about the disorder. Autism researchers have cited heightened awareness, as well as medical advancements and increased diagnoses of mild cases.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reasons for increases in autism diagnosis come down to scientific and health care progress,\u201d said Annette Estes, director of the autism center at the University of Washington. \u201cIt\u2019s hard for many people to understand this because the causes of autism are complex.\u201d<\/p>\n

Contrasting Views on Environmental Factors<\/h3>\n

The Autism Science Foundation said Kennedy\u2019s emphasis on environmental factors contradicted the findings in the CDC\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis report is the most convincing evidence yet that changes in factors like access to services and de-stigmatization of (autism spectrum disorders) are leading to the increases in prevalence,\u201d said Autism Science Foundation Chief Science Officer Dr. Alycia Halladay.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The rising number of autism cases in the U.S. is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention and thorough research. While there are varying opinions on the causes of this increase, it is crucial to continue studying the condition to provide better support and care for individuals with autism. The commitment to understanding and addressing autism is a step towards improving the lives of those affected and their families.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n