Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a devastating childhood developmental disorder that features language impairment, dysfunctional social interactions, and repetitive behavior patterns. The disorder affects 4 times more males than females and is generally discovered by the age of 36 months. A regression of developmental skills is found in approximately 30 percent of children. The disorder wasn’t even named until mid 20th century, although it had been described by doctors Kenner and Asperger in the 1940s.
Today ASD affects an estimated 1 in 110 children in the United States. Adding to this are thousands of adults who may not have been previously diagnosed. Roughly translated, this means as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. It is a lifelong condition that impacts families and is a huge societal cost, not only for children, but in adult disability and health care costs.
Sources:
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) December 31, 2009; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Autism Society June 5, 2009 http://www.autism-society.org
Kogan, MD; “A National Profile of the Health Care Experiences and Family Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children in the United States, 2006-2006. Pediatrics 2008;122:e1149-e1158.
Ganz, ML; “The Lifetime Distribution of the Incremental Societal Costs of Autism” Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2007;161:343-349
