Prevalence Rates
Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Unites States are now 1 in 54 children (in 2008 the prevalence rate was 1 in 88, as a comparison). The continuous and steady rise has sparked fear of an actual ASD “epidemic”.
It’s important because we need to know how many children have ASD to prepare our communities and services systems. According to epidemiologists like Li-Ching Lee at Johns Hopkins University (March, 2020), an ongoing and accurate estimate will help to develop realistic plans to support these children now, and later into their adolescence and adulthood.
- Is ASD “truly” on the rise (i.e., there are simply more and more cases each year), OR do the new statistics reflect the growing awareness of the condition, the expanded definition, better detection, and other factors like policy changes such as recommended screening and treatment? Or perhaps it is both?
- What do YOU suspect has contributed to the increase in rates over the last 3 decades (I’ve listed a few possibilities above, but please explain your own ideas or further expand the above noted factors)?
Discuss 3 points from the articles you read this week (one point from Lord et al., one point from Kanner, and one point from Wing). You may use my PowerPoints and YouTube lectures to draw information from, as well as make links from Volkmar’s Chapter 1. There are no right or wrong answers as to what you choose to discuss. Just be sure there is insight and reflection. I want you to think deeply about all aspects of the area of ASD (read Lord et al.’s overview) as well as its deep-rooted history.
- What struck you as interesting, novel, or intriguing and why?
- What was it about the author’s points that were so compelling?
- After all your readings and lectures this week, what would you tell a friend or family member who knows very little about ASD? What should everyday folks know about ASD?
Discuss 3 points from the articles you read this week (one point from Lord et al., one point from Kanner, and one point from Wing). You may use my PowerPoints and YouTube lectures to draw information from, as well as make links from Volkmar’s Chapter 1. There are no right or wrong answers as to what you choose to discuss. Just be sure there is insight and reflection. I want you to think deeply about all aspects of the area of ASD (read Lord et al.’s overview) as well as its deep-rooted history.
- What struck you as interesting, novel, or intriguing and why?
- What was it about the author’s points that were so compelling?
- After all your readings and lectures this week, what would you tell a friend or family member who knows very little about ASD? What should everyday folks know about ASD?
Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Unites States are now 1 in 54 children (in 2008 the prevalence rate was 1 in 88, as a comparison). The continuous and steady rise has sparked fear of an actual ASD “epidemic”.
It’s important because we need to know how many children have ASD to prepare our communities and services systems. According to epidemiologists like Li-Ching Lee at Johns Hopkins University (March, 2020), an ongoing and accurate estimate will help to develop realistic plans to support these children now, and later into their adolescence and adulthood.
- Is ASD “truly” on the rise (i.e., there are simply more and more cases each year), OR do the new statistics reflect the growing awareness of the condition, the expanded definition, better detection, and other factors like policy changes such as recommended screening and treatment? Or perhaps it is both?
- What do YOU suspect has contributed to the increase in rates over the last 3 decades (I’ve listed a few possibilities above, but please explain your own ideas or further expand the above noted factors)?
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