incidence of autism is now 1 in 150 children?? increase occurred in 1990s?

[bobbieinok]

from post #9 in

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1318974#top



....1990s? I'm guessing that you also know that the incidence of autism rose during that same time from 1/2000 children to 1/150 children

[shraby]

1. Have the parameters of what constitutes an

autistic child been broadened, or did the medical community become more aware of the problem? Either could be a cause of the rise in numbers.

[MichiganVote]

3. Actually, the fact is, there are plenty of kids who are not autistic

I work with this population. You'd be amazed how many kids are diagnosed with autism who have other reasons for their behaviors. We do not have enough people who truly know how to diagnose this problem.

[MichiganVote]

4. They have broadened and the medicals are inept

[politicat]

5. we're far better at diagnosing it now and at recognizing it.

Prior to the publication of some pretty high profile papers on the subject, kids with autism were often shunted aside as generally developmentally disabled (or retarded) or had non-specific organic brain disease. Now we have a better term for it.

The rise in environmental mercury probably has not helped keep the stats low, either, since mercury poisoning can be mistaken for autism quite readily, and vice versa.

[bahrbearian]

2. Direct correlation between Mercury and Autism.

[pstans]

6. I think it has to do with the increase in Mercury in our water

that has caused the increase in Autism. 1 out of 6 women in childbearing age (20-35) has too much Mercury in their bodies that would cause harm to their child. Autism is 1 of the things that could happen because of the increased levels of Mercury.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

7. The numbers have increased, & many of the newly diagnosed

are very much autistic. We're talking about 3-4-5 year olds who are unmistakably autistic. This is generally the age of diagnosis, & each year the numbers seem to get higher. A diagnosis of autism will allow for additional treatments & services, & this does account for some of the increased numbers - but, I tell you, the numbers & severity seem to be increasing. Where's it's coming from? - there are lots of theories & mercury seems to be one of the prime suspects.