2022 Autism Acceptance Month - Day 1

Today is Day 1 of Autism Acceptance Month.  I thought I would kick off the month by providing some basic information that I found on the Autism Speaks website:

In 2021, the CDC determined that approximately 1 in 44 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

That's 2.3% of all children in the United States.

That's a 24% increase since 2016, when the estimate was 1 in 54. This 24% increase in prevalence shows progress in awareness and advocacy for early identification and diagnosis but also reiterates the need for a significant increase in funding for autism research and services to be provided throughout the lifespan.

Boys are four times as likely to be diagnosed as girls, holding steady from previous reports. This indicates the need for more research to understand the gap in prevalence and ensure girls on the spectrum are receiving the care they need.

Significant differences remain in the frequency of autism diagnosis between the CDC’s monitoring sites. These range from a low of 1 in 60 in Missouri to a high of 1 in 26 in California. This may be due to how autism is diagnosed and documented in different communities.

While the CDC report found no difference in the overall prevalence rates by race and ethnicity, the prevalence of ASD among Hispanic children was lower compared to the White or Black children in multiple sites. This finding indicates barriers in ASD diagnosis for Hispanic children.

Further, Black children with ASD were more likely to have lower IQ scores compared to White or Hispanic children. This indicates that only more severe forms of ASD are being identified among Black children compared to White children and points to existing disparities and barriers.

Early intervention affords the best opportunity to support healthy development and deliver benefits across the lifespan.

There is still no medical detection for autism.

Seems scary, right?  Well, it is.  But I believe that the rates are skyrocketing because of a combination of things:  a better understanding of the disorder, as well as better tools with which to diagnose autism at an earlier age.

When Lulu was first diagnosed, I only knew a few people affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, and interestingly, they were girls. Today, thirteen short years later, there are too many to name here. This truly saddens me, but it also brings a sense of relief. What I mean by that is as a result of the increasing rates of diagnoses, more attention is given to the disorder, and thus the hope is that funding will go toward additional research and cutting edge therapies for those affected. It also means that overall one might find an increased level of patience for children who are melting down, who have quirks, or who stim…this patience absolutely was not common when I was in elementary or high school.

I know that I sure am glad that Lulu was diagnosed in 2009 rather than even 20 years before that. 

Cheers to my Little Laurie Lulu and all others affected by autism. You are all my heroes!