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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a perplexing and mysterious developmental disability. There is no agreed-upon cause. (Lots of controversy about all that). There is no “cure.” No medical, educational or behavioral intervention works for every child, making the choices for both parents and professionals especially daunting.
During the past 10 years, the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has been increasing at an alarming rate. According to the Autism Society of America (ASA), ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability (10-17 percent annually), is a factor in 1 out of 150 live births, and affects between 1 to 1.5 million Americans. At this rate, ASA estimates that the prevalence of autism could reach 4 million Americans in the next decade. Most states have experienced staggering diagnostic increases. In California, for example, ASD diagnoses rose 633 percent between 1987 and 1998. In the U.S., a new case of ASD is diagnosed nearly every 20 minutes; which translates into 24,000 new cases every year. ASD occurrence is four times more likely in boys than girls, knows no racial, ethnic or social boundaries, is more common than Down Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis or Cystic Fibrosis. For an in-depth look at the numbers, click here. For an in-depth look at Autism, click here.http://www.autism-society.orghttp://www.autismstatistics.orghttp://www.comebackjack.orgshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1shapeimage_3_link_2
Jack Michael Parish, diagnosed 2/96