NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Autism epidemic

The advent of a possible autism epidemic was first suggested in the mid-1990s by a handful of healthcare professionals who noticed sharp increases in the numbers being diagnosed and reported to public health agencies. Many authorities acknowledge that the diagnosis rate has reached epidemic proportions, yet remain ambivalent about whether or not the instance of autism is increasing [1] [2] and therefore whether the term "epidemic" is accurate. Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive. ... Health care or healthcare is one of the worlds largest and fastest growing professions. ... Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. ... In epidemiology, an epidemic (from Greek epi- upon + demos people) is a disease that appears as new cases in a given human population, during a given period, at a rate that substantially exceeds what is expected, based on recent experience (the number of new cases in the population during a...

The number of children diagnosed with autism has increased significantly in recent years, leading many scientists and health care practitioners to question whether extrinsic factors may be at least partially responsible. The cause of any increase in autism incidence is hotly debated. Researchers have speculated that genetic causes, pollution, food additives, childhood vaccinations, or more thorough diagnosis and screening may play roles. At the urging of parents and other concerned constituents, legislation is being drafted in the US that would, for the first time, compare vaccinated and unvaccinated populations ascertain whether there is a link between autism and vaccines.[3] Other speculation attributes the trend of increasing diagnoses to a form of collective hysteria. Researchers have long pointed to changes in diagnostic categories in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as profoundly affecting the numbers diagnosed as autistic, especially changes set out in DSM-III-R,[4] and DSM-IV [5] A male Caucasian toddler child A child (plural: children) is a young human. ... Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. ... For a List of scientists, see: List of anthropologists List of astronomers List of biologists List of chemists List of computer scientists List of economists List of engineers List of geologists List of inventors List of mathematicians List of meteorologists List of physicists Scientist pairs List of scientist pairs See... Health care or healthcare is the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical, nursing, and allied health professions [1]. The organised provision of such services may constitute a healthcare system. ... This stylistic schematic diagram shows a gene in relation to the double helix structure of DNA and to a chromosome (right). ... Water pollution Environmental pollution is the release of environmental contaminants, . Carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) ,and nitrogen oxides produced by industry and motor vehicles are common air pollutants. ... Food additives are substances added to food to preserve it, or to improve its flavour and appearance. ... Vaccination is the process of administering live, albeit weakened, microbes to patients, with the intent of conferring immunity against a targeted form of a related disease agent. ... Diagnosis (from the Greek words dia = by and gnosis = knowledge) is the process of identifying a disease by its signs, symptoms and results of various diagnostic procedures. ... Collective hysteria, or mass hysteria, is the sociopsychological phenomenon of the anal regionhysterical symptoms by more than one person. ... The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the handbook used most often in diagnosing mental disorders in the United States and internationally. ... A boy with autism and his mother Autism refers to a spectrum of disorders, and lies somewhere under the umbrella of a greater encompassing spectrum, that of pervasive developmental disorders that involve the functioning of the brain. ...

Caveat

The majority of mainstream scientists view the concept of an autism "epidemic" with skepticism, noting that autism is predominantly believed to be of genetic, not bacterial, viral or man-made causes. Many attribute the dramatic rise in autism rates to more effective and inclusive diagnostic criteria and detection tools, noting that the diagnosis of autism was only created in the 1940s and the science around it is still only developing. In addition, the autism rights movement vehemently disputes that any increase in diagnoses be labelled an "epidemic", as this may imply that autism is a disability or disease. Hence the remainder of this article is built on a proposition challenged by a portion of the autistic community. The autism rights movement was started by adult autistic individuals in order to advocate and demand tolerance for what they refer to as their neurodiversity. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with autistic culture. ...

Scope of autism prevalence

While the number of diagnoses related to autism has increased in recent decades, public health organizations and researchers have not yet determined whether:

Whether the true incidence of autism had been increasing was quite unclear as recently as 1999 [6]. Nevertheless, an increasing prevalence of autism diagnoses has sparked concerns, especially among parents, which in turn has lead to the initiation of a number of new treatment programs, advocacy groups and support programs. For example, Microsoft became the first major US corporation to offer employees insurance coverage for the cost of behavioral training for their autistic children in 2001, due to the high prevalence among the children of its employees. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT, SEHK: 4338) is an American computer technology corporation with 2005 global annual sales of close to $40 billion USD and about 64,000 employees in 85 countries and regions which develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ...

Parent advocacy groups, such as Safe Minds, A-CHAMP and Generation Rescue, object to public health agencies' reservations about any urgent action, pointing out that if estimates of the increasing prevalence are true, several of the world's governments may be confronted with a catastrophic health crisis with deep humanitarian and economic implications. They are calling for increased research into environmental factors that might cause or contribute to autism, increased research into therapies and possible cures to treat autism, and greater funding of programs to help autistic people learn to live with their disorder. The Coalition for Safe Minds (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to investigating the risks of exposure to mercury from medical products. ... Advocates for Childrens Health Affected by Mercury Poisoning (A-CHAMP), is a United States political activism group, founded by parents, which advocates on behalf of children they believe were injured by mercury in thimerosal containing vaccines. ... Generation Rescue is a non-profit organization which was founded by parents who are united in the belief that childhood neurological disorders; such as autism, Aspergers syndrome, ADHD, speech delay, sensory integration disorder and other developmental delays are the effects of a primary diagnosis of mercury poisoning and complications... Humanitarianism is the view that all people should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings, and that advancing the well-being of humanity is a noble goal. ...

In the absence of a universally accepted etiology of autism, many parents, health professionals, politicians and others are demanding further independent study into a number of possible causes for the increase in diagnosis. For example, there is demand for research into a possible causal connection between autism and the policy of universal, compulsory vaccination schedules. This demand reflects a highly controversial debate on the risks and benefits of vaccinations, pitting the medical community and public health agencies against a large proportion of parents (in California, one third of parents of children on the spectrum — see 'vaccine theories' below) and a relatively small group of physicians. Over the past two decades, the recommended vaccination schedule in the United States and elsewhere has grown rapidly and become more complicated as many new vaccines have been developed and marketed. ...

Australia

Australia is apparently experiencing a surge in autism spectrum disorders, where a ten-fold rise in diagnoses have been made in the past decade.[7] The Australian Education Department reported a 276 percent jump in students with autism spectrum disorder between 2000 and 2005. As of 2005, a total of 23,083 Victorian students were placed in school disability and language disorder programs, rising 74 per cent from 13,257 students in 2000. An expert from the Royal Children's Hospital in Sydney, Australia said the figures were "a significant underestimate."[8] This article is about the year 2000. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Motto: Peace and Prosperity Nickname: Garden State, The Place To Be Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Government Governor Premier Const. ... The Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, more commonly known as The Childrens Hospital at Westmead or The New Childrens Hospital, is located on Hawkesbury Road in Westmead. ... This article is about the metropolitan area in Australia. ...

China

In a July, 2005, interview Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. stated that, "six years ago, autism was unknown in China. We started giving them our vaccines in 1999. Today there's 1.8 million cases of autism in China."[9] Shanghai alone has over 10,000 known autistic children.[10] However, this seems to conflict with a 1997 study, in China, about teaching Chinese to autistic children, [11] as well as a 1991 study of a Chinese "calendar savant". [12] Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. ...

Denmark

A study from Denmark was published in November 2002, attracting substantial attention. The incidence of autism reported in the study appeared lower than the prevalence reported in the US and other countries. In Denmark, an incidence rate of 1 out of 727 (or 738 out of 537,303) was reported, far less than estimates of up to 1 in 86 among primary school children in the United Kingdom and around 1 out of 150 children in the US. For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ...

Danish authorities discontinued use of thimerosal in 1992 [13], but cite studies showing a continued increase in the incidence of autism as evidence that thimerosal was not a contributing factor. However, according to Kennedy, "before banning thimerosal, Denmark registered only autistics who were hospitalized — one fifth of the afflicted populations. After the withdrawal of thimerosal, Denmark began counting out-patient autistics in its registries. The resulting spike in raw numbers therefore made it appear that autism rates actually increased after the withdrawal of thimerosal."[14] To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ...

Japan

A study released in early 2005 was the first to examine autism trends before and after the 1993 withdrawal of MMR from the Japanese market, inclusive of children who had not had the three-in-one jab. The MMR was withdrawn in Japan in a crisis of confidence after the mumps component was linked to meningitis. The study's authors reported 48 and 86 cases per 10,000 children in two sequential years prior to withdrawal, doubling to 97 and 161 per 10,000 afterwards in two seqeuential years afterwards. [15] 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... The MMR vaccine is a mixture of live but attenuated viruses, administered via injection for immunization against measles, mumps and rubella. ... Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (meninges) covering the brain and the spinal cord. ...

Dr. Wakefield has noted the specific year to year data shows a dip in autism diagnoses after Japanese public confidence fell in the MMR specifically, and vaccinations generally. Wakefield notes autism rates had risen to 85.9 per 10,000 for children born in 1990, but declined to 55.8 per 10,000 for children born in 1991 when MMR uptake declined before the MMR vaccine's withdrawal. Autism rates have steadily increased since that time, after the Japanese public began to accept the notion of three separate vaccines and refinements to diagnostic criteria.[16] This article is about the year. ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Russia

In response to a study performed in 1977, Russia banned thimerosal from children's vaccines by 1985. Despite this, the Russian autism rate did not change for at least a decade.[17] For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article is about the year. ...

United Kingdom

According to Vaccination News, one in eighty-six primary school children in the United Kingdom has autism, compared with one in 2,200 in 1988.[18] Another estimate of the UK incidence rate came from the National Autistic Society, which estimated autism spectrum disorders in the total population to be one in 110. A 2001 review, by the Medical Research Council, yielded an estimate of one in 166 in children under eight. 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the United Kingdoms most prominent autism-related charity. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... Current MRC logo The Medical Research Council (MRC) is a UK organisation dedicated to promot[ing] the balanced development of medical and related biological research in the UK. Organisation The MRC is one of seven Research Councils and is answerable to, although politically independent from, the Office of Science and...

According to statistics cited by Bernard Rimland, the autism rate in the UK suddenly spiked after the first introduction of the MMR vaccine in 1989, just as it had after the MMR's introduction in the US in the late 1970s.[19]. This is not consistent with evidence published in the British Medical Journal.[20] Bernard Rimland, Ph. ... The MMR vaccine is a mixture of live but attenuated viruses, administered via injection for immunization against measles, mumps and rubella. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The British Medical Journal (BMJ) is a medical journal published weekly in the United Kingdom by the British Medical Association (BMA)which published its first issue in 1845. ...

Substantial funds (over £3 million) were spent in the UK on a pro-MMR campaign.[21] Concerted efforts have been made by the British government and pharmaceutical industry interests to negate the widely criticized 1998 study, led by Dr. Wakefield, that showed a consistent set of bowel disorders among a dozen autistic children.[22] The study authors also suggested the need for further studies into the apparent link between MMR and autism, although 10 of Wakefield's co-authors retracted the recomendation six years later. This is a list of pharmaceutical and biotech companies that are major manufacturers on global or national markets : Abbott Laboratories Able Laboratories Akzo Nobel Allergan Almirall Prodesfarma Alphapharm Altana (previously Byk Gulden) ALZA, part of Johnson & Johnson Amgen AstraZeneca, formed from the merger of Astra AB and Zeneca Group PLC... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

The 2002 Danish epidemiological study was a consideration in the 2004 US Institute of Medicine (IOM) Special Committee decision, which concluded an MMR-Autism connection did not exist. It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in... The Institute of Medicine, a part of the National Academy of Sciences, is an American organization whose purpose is to provide national advice on issues relating to biomedical science, medicine, and health (National Academy of Sciences, n. ...

United States

After years of substantial annual increases, provisional data from the US Department of Education show a significant decrease in the number of new autism diagnoses recorded among children 3 to 5 years old. There were 1,451 new cases in 2001-2002; 1,981 in 2002-2003; 3,707 in 2003-2004; and 3,178 in 2004-2005, a drop of 529 new cases, or 14%.[23]

According to a recent 'conservative' estimate, there are approximately 500,000 autistic spectrum cases in he United States, including perhaps as many as 1 in 150 children. "With eighty percent of autistic Americans under the age of 18, the dramatic impact of this crisis will be felt by taxpayers in the coming years when these autistic children become adults," says Anne McElroy Dachel of the National Autism Association.

Autism is the fastest growing population of special needs students in the US, having grown by over 900% between 1992 and 2001, according to data from the United States Department of Education. In 1999, the autism incidence rate in the US was generally cited at 4.5 cases per 10,000 live births. By 2005, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates one of every 250 babies is born with autism, or 40 cases per 10,000. 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... The United States Department of Education was created in 1979 (by PL 96-88) as a Cabinet-level department of the United States government, and began operating in 1980. ... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta is recognized as the lead United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people by providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships with state health departments and other organizations. ...

The rising enrollments in special education classes in the nation's public school system provides a clear measurement of how wide-spread the prevalence has become. In Ohio in 1992-93, there were only 22 reported cases of autism, but by by 2003-04 there were 5,146; in Illinois, there were five cases in 1992-93, and 6,005 in 2003-04; in Wisconsin, 18 cases of autism in 1992-93 and 3,259 in 2003-04.[24] Special education, also known as special ed, describes an educational alternative that focuses on the teaching of students with academic, behaviorial, health, or physical needs that cannot sufficiently be met using traditional educational programs or techniques. ... The term public school has different (and in some cases contradictory) meanings due to regional differences. ... Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus (largest metropolitan area is Cleveland) Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 34th 116,096 kmÂ² 355 km 355 km 8. ... Official language(s) English Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 25th 149,998 kmÂ² 340 km 629 km 4. ... Official language(s) None Capital Madison Largest city Milwaukee Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 23rd 169,790 kmÂ² 420 km 500 km 17 42Â°30N to 47Â°3N 86Â°49W to 92Â°54W Population - Total (2000) - Density Ranked 18th 5,453,896 38. ...

As many as 1.5 million Americans may have some form of autism, including milder variants, and the number is rising. Epidemiologists estimate the number of autistic children in the US could reach 4 million in the next decade.[25] Epidemiology (Greek epi = upon, among; demos = people, district; logos = word, discourse), defined literally, is the study of epidemics in humans. ...

California

California is considered to have the best reporting system for autism in the US. According to data released in late 2005 by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), new cases — of professionally diagnosed full syndrome DSM IV autism — entering the DDS system indicated a decline, from 734 new cases during the second quarter of 2005 to 678 new cases during the third quarter of 2005, a 7.5% decline in one quarter.

As of August 1993, a total of only 4,911 cases of autism had been logged in DDS's client-management system, a number excluding milder autism spectrum disorders, such as Asperger's syndrome. By April 29, 1999, the DDS reported a State-wide incidence rate of about 15 to 20 per 10,000, triggering alarms about the staggering increase. 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Asperger described his patients as little professors. Aspergers syndrome (AS, or the more common shorthand Aspergers), is characterized as one of the five pervasive developmental disorders, and is commonly referred to as a form of high functioning autism. ...

As of 2005, the DDS reported a total of 28,046 cases, but that the rate of increase peaked in 2002 and has dropped slightly since then. According to data released by DDS in January, 2006, the number of new cases of professionally diagnosed full syndrome autism entering California's developmental services system in 2005 was the smallest since 2001. The DDS year end report documents that, during 2005, California added 2,848 new cases of autism to its system. Not since 2001, when 2,725 new cases were added, has California added fewer new cases of full syndrome autism to its system. Ever since the record year of 2002, there has been a slow, steady decline in the number of new autism cases entering the 37-year old DDS system, even though levels have still not yet reached the 1 in 166 reported by population-based studies. 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The use of the term "New Cases" has come into question and DDS itself has documented that "New Cases" should not be calculated as the difference in the numbers between quarters [26]. The total caseload handled by the state continues to increase at a pace much higher than population growth, but the recent trend points to a decrease in the caseload increase per quarter. The decline has been speculated to coincide with vaccines containing thimerosal being phased out in recent years. It could also indicate that the awareness curve is starting to level off. It has also been pointed out that the caseload does not yet meet the levels found in population studies.

Critics of the vaccine theory point out that if vaccine injury was the cause of the increase in autism spectrum diagnoses, a sharp decline in new cases should be expected, and eventually a decrease in total caseload. In contrast, if the better diagnostic awareness theory is correct, a gradual decline in new cases should be expected until caseload increase reaches population growth levels. Vaccine injury is a term used in both medicine and law to designate alleged injuries sustained by individuals subsequent to having been vaccinated. ...

According to a report by the DDS, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Changes in the California Caseload: 1999-2002, the rate of children diagnosed with full-syndrome autism in California nearly doubled between 1999 and 2002, from 10,360 to 20,377. The report stated, "(B)etween Dec. 31, 1987, and Dec. 31, 2002, the population of persons with full-syndrome autism has increased by 634 percent."

California's increase in childhood autism was not due to flawed diagnoses, according to a 2002 study led by University of California, Davis pediatric epidemiologist Robert Byrd. 1,685 newly diagnosed autistic children had entered the state's regional center system the previous year, marking a 273 percent increase over an 11-year period from 1988 to 1999. The data again included only children with classic autism, discounting those with PDD-NOS, Asperger's, etc. "The sheer complexity of this phenomenon prevents any clear conclusions," the report stated. "What we do know is that the number of young children coming into the system each year is significantly greater than in the past." For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ... The University of California, Davis, commonly known as UC Davis, is one of the ten University of California campuses. ... Epidemiology (Greek epi = upon, among; demos = people, district; logos = word, discourse), defined literally, is the study of epidemics in humans. ... A boy with autism and his mother Autism refers to a spectrum of disorders, and lies somewhere under the umbrella of a greater encompassing spectrum, that of pervasive developmental disorders that involve the functioning of the brain. ... PDD not otherwise specified or PDD-NOS is a pervasive developmental disorder. ...

"It's a dramatic report, but what's shocking is that it's not clear what the cause is," said Dr. Thomas Anders, a child psychiatrist and acting director of the M.I.N.D. Institute at the University of California, Davis. Yet the report statistics were very "conservative", according to Rick Rollens, former secretary of the California State Senate and father of Russell, who has been diagnosed with autism, adding "It does not include people who are not part of the regional system, and it is estimated that (the regional system is) really serving only half the people with developmental disabilities," said Rollens. The UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute is a Sacramento, California based research and treatment consortium of scientists, educators, physicians and parents who have joined together to unravel the mysteries of autism spectrum disorders, fragile X syndrome, and other developmental disorders. ... The University of California, Davis, commonly known as UC Davis, is one of the ten University of California campuses. ... Rick Rollens (b. ... California State Senate Chamber in the State Capitol The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. ...

Granite Bay cluster

By 1999, in Granite Bay, California, 22 of the 2,930 children enrolled in grades K-6 were autistic. Granite Bay is a census-designated place located in Placer County, California. ...

Silicon Valley cluster

A 2002 BBC article indicated that one in 150 children in the region had an autistic spectrum disorder. A 2001 article in Wired suggested that the cluster is a result of a link between autistic disorders and computer skills. For the Cusco album, see 2002 (album). ... Corporate logo of the British Broadcasting Corporation. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... Wired can refer to: Wired magazine, a monthly technology magazine. ...

Connecticut

The number of autistic children educated at public expense in Connecticut has increased 325 percent since 1996, according to the State Department of Education. Governor M. Jodi Rell included a 38 percent increase, to $25.5 million, in the State's budget, for reimbursement to local schools for special education costs. Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 48th 14,371 kmÂ² 113 km 177 km 12. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... Mary Jodi Rell (born June 16, 1946) is a Republican politician who became the 86th Governor of Connecticut on July 1, 2004. ...

Stratford cluster

In Stratford, Connecticut the number of children diagnosed with autism who receive special education services has increased 400 percent since 1996. Although only 20 children currently in the school system have autism, the cost for their education may exceed $750,000. Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. ...

Hawaii

Rick Rollens, a co-founder of the M.I.N.D. Institute, found an autism cluster in a small, isolated area on the east shore of Oahu, Hawaii, in part consisting of a dozen native Hawaiian children with regressive autism, all suffering from gastrointestinal problems, sleep disorders, gluten and casein digestion problems, autoimmune problems, yet having no family history of autism or any other developmental disability.[27] Image of Oahu from space taken by NASA. O‘ahu is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the state of Hawai‘i. ... Wheat - a prime source of gluten Gluten is an amorphous ergastic protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of some cereals, notably wheat, rye, and barley. ... Casein is the predominant phosphoprotein found in fresh milk. ...

New Jersey

New Jersey also has a high number of autistic children. This may be because, like California, New Jersey boasts many scientific research and high technology industry enclaves, which dominate the state's economy. A significant portion of the autistic children in New Jersey, intriguingly, were either born in other States or have parents from another State; many more autistic children may have moved to New Jersey from other states specifically because of its well known special education system. Official language(s) None defined, English de facto Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 47th 22,608 kmÂ² 110 km 240 km 14. ... Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 kmÂ² 402. ... High tech refers to high technology, technology that is at the cutting-edge and the most advanced currently available. ...

Brick Township cluster

An 'autism cluster' was identified in Brick Township, New Jersey, in 1999. Parents attributed the diagnoses to environmental pollution, but investigators could not confirm the suspicions. The town had about 40 cases among 6,000 children. Map of Brick Township in Ocean County Brick Township is a Township located in Ocean County, New Jersey. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

Pennsylvania

Governor Edward G. Rendell has dedicated $3 million to help Pennsylvania enhance efforts to better diagnose and develop treatment procedures for the 74,000 Pennsylvanians diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders.[28] Official language(s) None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 33rd 119,283 kmÂ² 255 km 455 km 2. ...

Amish anomaly

An apparent anomaly among Amish populations was reported in 2005. Although a formal study has not yet been conducted, efforts to assess the prevalence of autism in the Amish community turned up only a very few cases. About 22,000 Amish live in Lancaster County, yet only three or four Amish with autism have turned up thus far in an informal survey of Lancaster County, whereas dozens would be expected at the 1-in-166 prevalence in society at large. "You'll find all the other stuff, but we don't find the autism," according to Dr. Frank Noonan, a Lancaster County family doctor, adding "We're right in the heart of Amish country and seeing none." Amish couple in a horse-drawn buggy in rural Holmes County, Ohio, the site of one of the largest concentrations of Amish in the United States The Amish are a denomination of Anabaptists, found primarily in the United States and Canada are very simlar to and often considered a subgroup... Lancaster County is a county located in the south-central portion of the state of Pennsylvania in the Susquehanna Valley. ...

In June, 2005, William F. Raub, of the Department of Health and Human Services, suggested the possibility of launching studies of the Amish in response reports of a low prevalence of autism in that community.[29] The United States Department of Health and Human Services, often abbreviated HHS, is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. ...

Since vaccinations are virtually unheard of in the Amish, these preliminary findings have sparked further speculation about the vaccine-autism link. However, note is made of potential for substantial confounding with other aspects of Amish lifestyle and genetic homogeneity.

Proposed causes

When autism was first described and reported by Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger in the early 1940s, nothing was known about what was causing the previously unrecognized syndrome. The increasing numbers have led to many theories. Dr Leo Kanner MD Leo Kanner (June 13, 1894 - April 4, 1981) was an Austrian-American physician known for his work related to autism. ... Hans Asperger (February 18, 1906 â€“ October 21, 1980) was the Austrian pediatrician after whom Aspergers Syndrome is named. ... // Events and trends World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atomic bomb. ...

Better (and worse) diagnostics

When the rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorders sparked research into the trend in the late 1990s, the medical establishment primarily attributed the increase to improved diagnostic screening or changes in the definition of autism. In 1994, the fourth major revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) was published [30]. It included substantially updated criteria for the diagnosis of autism and autism spectrum disorders.[31] Professional medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, say that this revision was an important factor in increasing the apparent prevalence of autism. A 2005 study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that sharp increases in autism diagnoses have followed revisions in DSM criteria and changes in funding for special education programs. [32]. 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the handbook used most often in diagnosing mental disorders in the United States and internationally. ... The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is an organization of pediatricians. ... The entrance to the Gonda Building in downtown Rochester. ...

Much of the prevalence increase could be explained through increased awareness and knowledge about autistic disorders in the part of parents and pediatricians. The implications of this view are that children in the past were likely diagnosed as having a different condition, or not diagnosed at all. Several potential misdiagnosis have been cited, such as mental retardation, learning disability [33] and childhood schizophrenia [34]. High functioning autistic children are sometimes misdiagnosed ADHD [35] and it's possible such misdiagnosis were more common in the recent past. Another possible contributing effect is that of giving a diagnosis of Autistm to children who are not primarily autistic, e.g. those with Fragile-X Syndrome (with characteristics that fit the criteria for autism) and even Down's Syndrome (which may be comorbid with autism.) Dr. Fred Volkmar, an autism researcher from Yale has said that "Autism is a kind of fashionable diagnosis" [36]. Mental retardation (also called mental handicap and, as defined by the UK Mental Health Act 1983, mental impairment and severe mental impairment) is a term for a pattern of persistently slow learning of basic motor and language skills (milestones) during childhood, and a significantly below-normal global intellectual capacity as... In the United States and Canada, the term learning disability is used to refer to a psychological condition that affects a persons communicative capacities and potential to learn. ... DISCLAIMER Please remember that Wikipedia is offered for informational use only. ... Fragile X Syndrome is the most common inherited cause of mental impairment, and the most common known cause of autism. ...

It has been pointed out that updated diagnostic criteria, more awareness, and so on, would only account for increases in diagnosis of high-functioning autism, and that there's evidence of prevalence increases in so-called classic autism. But this reasoning is not necessarily correct. If criteria on one end of the spectrum has shifted, it is not unreasonable to suppose that it has shifted across the spectrum. Anecdotal accounts suggest that, in the past, diagnosis were not seeked even for late-talking children. It is unlikely that today, in the industrialized world, a late-talking child would be left undiagnosed after entering the school system. A recent rash of late diagnosis and self-diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome in adults (perhaps due in part to the success of the world wide web) supports this observation. Adults currently receiving a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome could have been late-talkers as children, in which case a diagnosis of autism would have been more appropriate, had they been diagnosed then. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Asperger described his patients as little professors. Aspergers syndrome (AS, or the more common shorthand Aspergers), is characterized as one of the five pervasive developmental disorders, and is commonly referred to as a form of high functioning autism. ... This NeXTcube used by Berners-Lee at CERN became the first Web server. ... Asperger described his patients as little professors. Aspergers syndrome (AS, or the more common shorthand Aspergers), is characterized as one of the five pervasive developmental disorders, and is commonly referred to as a form of high functioning autism. ...

Data from the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) show that autistic client characteristics have changed over time. In particular, the proportion of autistic clients with mental retardation has dropped gradually since 1992 and continued to drop as of 2006. This has been cited as evidence of a broadening criteria effect.

Genetic predisposition

Hans Asperger noted a striking tendency for the disorder to run in families, sometimes passing directly from father to son. Clues that genes might be central to autism appeared in Leo Kanner's observations about the emotional distance among mothers of autistic children. For more background on this topic, see autism. ...

The odds of identical twins sharing a diagnosis of autism are about 90 percent. (Studies go from 60% up to 96%, but seem to cluster around 90%). Parents with one autistic child face a risk of 1 in 20 of having a second autistic child. After having two autistic children, the odds of the next child of the same parents being autistic rise to 1 in 3 [37].

Still, it appears that most parents of autistic children are non-autistic, which is probably what leads to contradictory statements by professionals, such as the following:

The results of identical twin studies vs. those of fraternal twins and siblings suggest that a single gene variation cannot account for autism. To obtain those results, there would need to be perhaps 3 or 4 gene variations, which are passed down in part from the mother and in part from the father in most cases. Each gene variation, taken separately, would not be that uncommon in the general population. It is the combination of all of them which would be relatively uncommon. This may also be too simplistic and there might be many different sets of genetic variations that account for what we now refer to as "autism". Normally if a child is autistic, the probability that a parent is autistic should be similar to that of a sibling being in the autism spectrum, i.e. around 5% (without taking into account fitness to reproduce). Vijendra K. Singh, Ph. ... Neuroimmunology is a growing branch of biomedical science that studies of all aspects of the interactions between the immune system and nervous system. ... Old Main building at Utah State University Utah State Universitys main campus is located in Logan, Utah. ... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area - Total - Width - Length - % water - Latitude - Longitude Ranked 35th 110,862 kmÂ² 320 km 690 km 7. ... Fraternal twin boys in the tub The term twin most notably refers to two individuals (or one of two individuals) who have shared the same uterus (womb) and usually, but not necessarily, born on the same day. ... Fraternal twin boys in the tub The term twin most notably refers to two individuals (or one of two individuals) who have shared the same uterus (womb) and usually, but not necessarily, born on the same day. ... Autistic spectrum, autism spectrum, autistic spectrum disorders, autism spectrum disorders and ASD are all synonymous designations for the more official terminology in DSM-IV and ICD-10, where the term Pervasive Developmental Disorders, ( PDD) is being used. ...

Some studies showed evidence of a broader autistic phenotype, i.e. while siblings and parents of autistic children may not be autistic themselves, their chances of having symptoms of related conditions such as ADD, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, anxiety and depression are considerably higher than normal. [39] [40] However, at least in the case of Tourette syndrome, more recent studies cast doubt on the evidence for a broader phenotype. Multiple studies [41][42] [43] have shown that the prevalence of TS is much higher than previously thought, which casts earlier findings that there was a greater than expected chance of TS co-occurring with autism [44] in a new light. Further, autism spectrum disorders are a known cause of tourettism (secondary tics). [45] An additional complicating factor is that stereotypies and stims are often confused with tics, which may explain some of the incidence of tics among people with autism as misdiagnoses. [46] The phenotype of an individual organism is either its total physical appearance and constitution or a specific manifestation of a trait, such as size or eye color, that varies between individuals. ... The image on the left illustrates areas of activity in the brain of a person without ADHD. The image on the right illustrates the areas of activity of the brain of someone with ADHD. There is some controversy over the research by Dr. Alan Zametkin that produced these images. ... For other things named OCD, see OCD (disambiguation). ... Georges Gilles de la Tourette Tourette syndrome (also called Tourettes syndrome, Tourettes disorder, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, GTS or TS) is an inherited neurological disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by the presence of multiple motor tics and at least one phonic tic, which characteristically wax and... Anxiety refers to a complex combination of negative emotions that includes fear, apprehension and worry, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nausea, chest pain and/or shortness of breath. ... Clinical depression is a state of sadness or melancholia that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individuals social functioning and/or activities of daily living. ...

Natural selection

High technology enclaves have been noted repeatedly for having relatively high prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorders. People with highly analytical skills and mathematical capabilities, who excel in certain industries, despite lacking basic social skills, are often labeled as geeks or nerds. Look up Geek in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Nerds (apple-coated watermelon on left, lemonade-coated wild cherry on right) Nerds Nerds are candies sold by NestlÃ© under their Willy Wonka Candy Company brand. ...

There is evidence that autistic individials have a higher proportion of engineers as close family members than the rest of the population.[47] The explanation offered is that persons with a broader autistic phenotype are driven to professions where human interaction is not as important as working with objects and concepts. The phenotype of an individual organism is either its total physical appearance and constitution or a specific manifestation of a trait, such as size or eye color, that varies between individuals. ...

A hypothesis for the increase in prevalence could thus be based on natural selection, as hinted in Wired Magazine's article titled "The Geek Syndrome".[48] With the advent of the information age, there are more and better paying jobs for people with a broader autistic phenotype, which gives these individuals better chances of finding a mate and procreating. Although a plausible explanation for a small fraction of the observed increase in autism prevalence, the number of reported cases increases so rapidly in places like California that variations in certain job sectors cannot explain it fully. Additionally, this hypothesis would suggest there is a much higher prevalence increase in certain locations, certain socio-economic sectors, and among families with high levels of education, which is not supported by the data thus far. The main flaw of this hypothesis is that while autistic children may have a higher proportion of fathers who are engineers, it's still only a small minority among them (13%) that do. Charles Darwin in 1859 in his book The Origin of Species defined Natural selection as the principle, by which each slight variation [of a trait], if useful, is preserved. ...

Assortative mating

According to Simon Baron-Cohen, the genetics that contribute to autism might actually result in part from assortative mating of two particular types of parents, with certain systematizing cognitive traits, both contributing genes. Baron-Cohen believes that "it has become easier for systemizers to meet each other, with the advent of international conferences, greater job opportunities and more women working in these fields." [49] Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD, is a renowned British psychologist and director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, in the United Kingdom. ... Assortative mating (also called Assortative pairing) is when sexually reproducing organisms tend to mate with individuals that are like themselves in some respect. ...

Assortative mating has not been demonstrated in humans, however. The spouses of identical twins tended to find the other twin annoying rather than attractive.[50]

Nutritional deficiencies

Children exhibiting behavioral and learning disorders may do so in part because of diets deficient in vital nutrients needed for their brains to function normally.

In 1998, a small study published in the Lancet found a consistent set of bowel disorders among a dozen autistic children. Although an emphasis was placed by the authors on a possible link to the MMR vaccine, the study also suggested nutritional deficits caused by bowel disorders, may have contributed to the onset of neurological disorders. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Lancet may refer to: A lancet is a medical instrument, similar to a scalpel but with a double-edged blade. ... The MMR vaccine is a mixture of live but attenuated viruses, administered via injection for immunization against measles, mumps and rubella. ...

Leaky Gut Syndrome and related

Some children with autism have responded well to dietary intervention such as eliminating gluten (a protein found in most grains) and casein (the protein found in milk) as well as phenyls and food coloring (see Feingold diet). Most data regarding the validity of these interventions have been the subjective observations of parents and caretakers and no scientific study with proper subject elimination has taken place. Possible determining factors regarding the effectiveness of this as a treatment involve coincidence of a combination of asthma, eczema, diarrhea and constipation, strange "yeasty" diaper rash, and uncharacteristic eating habits (eating an entire loaf of bread). Wheat - a prime source of gluten Gluten is an amorphous ergastic protein found combined with starch in the endosperm of some cereals, notably wheat, rye, and barley. ... Casein is the predominant phosphoprotein found in fresh milk. ... The neutrality of this article is disputed. ...

Several unproven theories behind the effectiveness of this as a treatment involve damage to the lining of the stomach and/or intestines allowing the proteins to be improperly metabolized as glutomorphine and casomorphine which are both opiates. The damage to the gut lining is theorized to be caused by immunio-abnormalities and possibly the incidence of early oral-antibiotic use combined with a genetic predisposition.

Vaccine theories

The Center for Disease Control notes that "Current scientific evidence does not support the hypothesis that measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, or any combination of vaccines, causes the development of autism, including regressive forms of autism."[51] Nevertheless, claims that childhood vaccinations contribute to autism are relatively popular among parents. Bernard Rimland was among the first to make the allegation in the early 1990s;[52] before that, the 1985 book DPT: A Shot in the Dark, by Harris Coulter & Barbara Loe Fisher, made the allegation. Parents have increasingly disputed the position of the medical establisment, which adamantly rejects vaccine theories because of the repeated studies showing no link. In 2002, the M.I.N.D. Institute indicated one third of parents of recently diagnosed kids blamed vaccines, in comparison to 18 percent of parents whose kids were diagnosed earlier who blamed vaccines. Nevertheless, because of the overwhelming scientific evidence against the vaccine theories, only a very few healthcare professionals accept the possibility that such theories might be true. "Scientists and public health officials say they are alarmed by the surge of attention to an idea without scientific merit. The anti-thimerosal campaign, they say, is causing some parents to stay away from vaccines, placing their children at risk for illnesses like measles and polio."[53] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta is recognized as the lead United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people by providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships with state health departments and other organizations. ... Bernard Rimland, Ph. ... This article is about the year. ...

Vaccines, in particular the MMR, have been accused of involvement in a number of disorders, besides autism, including neurological damage, immune system dysfunction, severe allergic reactions, seizures, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, bowel disorders, blood disorders and diabetes.[54] However, the Center for Disease Control notes that "The available scientific data show that simultaneous vaccination with multiple vaccines has no adverse effect on the normal childhood immune system."[55] An allergy or Type I hypersensitivity is an immune system malfunction whereby a persons body is hypersensitised to react immunologically to typically nonimmunogenic substances. ... This article is about the medical condition. ... Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system (i. ... The intestine is the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ... Human blood smear: a - erythrocytes; b - neutrophil; c - eosinophil; d - lymphocyte. ... This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta is recognized as the lead United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people by providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships with state health departments and other organizations. ...

According to an informal poll on www.autismcoach.com, the majority of parents with children within the autism spectrum believe that the immunizations caused their children's autism. In this poll, 70% of the 53 respondents believed that their children were developing normally until they received one or more immunications.

Critics contend that the vaccine-related scare in the US and UK has been promoted by trial lawyers hoping to sue vaccine companies.[56]

Thimerosal containing vaccines

Exposure to mercury, used as a preservative in thimerosal containing vaccines (TCVs), leads to neurologic effects that may be the primary cause of the apparent autism epidemic, according to Bernard Rimland, Mark Geier, and a number of advocacy groups including Safe Minds. If true, one would expect the incidence of autism to be declining as the use of thimerosal containing vaccines declines. In the US, removal of thimerosal from children's vaccines was recommended in 1998. Childhood exposure may not have peaked until 2003 in the US, as pharmaceutical companies have moved toward compliance, according to research reported by Mark Geier. That research contradicts the findings of the Food and Drug Administration, which found that all major vaccines (except one influenza vaccine) was thimerosal-free by 2001.[57] And European countries that abolished thimerosal before the US have not had declines in autism. Geier's study was heavily criticized by the American Academy of Pediatrics as unscientific.[58] To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Mark R. Geier, MD, PhD, (b. ... The Coalition for Safe Minds (Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to investigating the risks of exposure to mercury from medical products. ... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States is the government agency responsible for regulating food (human and animal), dietary supplements, drugs (human and animal), cosmetics, medical devices (human and animal), biologics, and blood products in the United States. ...

The Center for Disease Control rejects the thimerosal hypothesis as unsupported by scientific evidence: "There is no evidence of harm caused by the minute doses of thimerosal in vaccines, except for minor effects like swelling and redness at the injection site due to sensitivity to thimerosal."[59] In a 2004 report, the Institute of Medicine concluded that there is no association between autism and vaccines that contain thimerosal as a preservative.[60] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta is recognized as the lead United States agency for protecting the public health and safety of people by providing credible information to enhance health decisions, and promoting health through strong partnerships with state health departments and other organizations. ... The Institute of Medicine, a part of the National Academy of Sciences, is an American organization whose purpose is to provide national advice on issues relating to biomedical science, medicine, and health (National Academy of Sciences, n. ...

Attenuated (weakened) live vaccines

A number of other organ systems affected by vaccines may also be involved, including gastrointestinal, respiratory, hepatic, immune, dermal, and renal. Andrew Wakefield has been at the center of controversies which escalated after the UK National Health Service's decision to withhold single-jab vaccines in favor of live virus triple-jab MMR vaccinations. However, Dr. Edward Campion, senior deputy editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, concluded from the 2002 Danish report that "This careful and convincing study shows that there is no association between autism and MMR vaccination." It has been suggested that Gas exchange be merged into this article or section. ... Dr. Andrew Wakefield (born 1957 in the United Kingdom) is a Canadian trained gastroenterologist, best known as the lead author of a controversial 1998 research study, published in the Lancet, which reported bowel symptoms in a selected sample of 12 children with autistic spectrum disorders, and claimed a possible connection... The logo of the NHS for England. ... Vaccination is the process of administering live, albeit weakened, microbes to patients, with the intent of conferring immunity against a targeted form of a related disease agent. ... The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society with the highest impact factor for a general medical journal. ...

Earlier preschool entrance

There is evidence that children are entering preschool earlier than in the past, at least in the industrialized world; a trend fueled mostly by the early education movement. Following a reasoning along the lines of the 'increased awareness' theory, earlier preschool entrance could in part explain a rise in diagnosed cases of autism for the following reasons:

But earlier preschool entrance could be having an effect that goes beyond increased awareness. It is believed that preschool can be stressful to young children, particularly when they first enter.

Autistic individuals are known to be prone to stress. Stress and social pressure in some autistic children can trigger 'shutdowns'.[61][62]. Stress has also been associated with seizures, and seizures in autistic children have been associated with 'regression'.[63] A plausible conclusion from this is that increased early stress could be amplifying the observed autistic traits of some children. This article is about the medical condition. ...

There is also a belief that stress can cause regressions in the development of non-autistic children in general.[64]. Some parents report observing developmental regressions that they attribute to early preschool entrance.[65][66]

Autistic author Jasmine O'Neill has said that school is the "end of bliss" for autistic children. Anecdotal accounts of this nature have been used to make dubious links between other types of occurrences in a child's life and 'regression'. Jasmine ONeill is a mute autistic woman who has argued a pro-neurodiversity view of autism. ...

There are two studies that claim extended time in preschool can impair social development.[67]

Folic acid

Increased intake of folic acid by pregnant women roughly coincides with the reported increase in the prevalence of autism. The explanation offered is that folic acid allows more brain cells to survive than should. This hypothesis is untested at this point. [68] Folic acid and folate (the anion form) are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. ...

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