• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
    • Work With Us
    • Media Kit
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy
  • Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

we know stuff

A Long Island Parenting Blog

  • Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • Muffins
    • Meals
    • Drinks
    • Jams
    • Soups
  • Parenting
    • special needs
    • education
  • Crafts
    • kids
    • nature
    • stem
    • holiday
  • Travel
    • florida
    • long island
    • USA

0 April 24, 2013 Parenting

Autism is on the Rise – or is it?

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/iferreroPhoto: Ivette Ferrero

Back when I penned “Asperger’s in Pink”, the rate of autism was thought to be 1:166. Before it went to the printer, it changed to 1:115. Beginning 2013, it was 1:88, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) now suggests it may be 1:50.


Yes, you read that right! The CDC now supposes that one out of every fifty Americans may be on the autism spectrum. So, what’s the truth? What’s behind the numbers? Is it that more and more children have autism? Is it because those with Asperger-type autism are now being counted where they weren’t before? Why the continued rise?

http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Tallia22 Photo: Tallia22

Honestly, we really don’t know, and those numbers are bound to change again. One of the contributing factors may be that some children (and adults) are just now being diagnosed due to increasing awareness of autism. Many people now being diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome sat in mainstream classrooms as children, went to college, married and now hold down careers as adults. Ten years ago, these individuals were not likely counted in the statistics.

But another reason for this number change is the increasing attention being given to females on the Autism spectrum. Autism tends to present itself differently in girls than boys, with many girls working to “mask” their quirks, leaving them undetected for years.

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1187578Photo: Armin Hanisch

Regardless the statistics, one thing remains unchanged. Those who happen to be on the autism spectrum are people, just like you and me. They may communicate differently, but they love, they explore, they synthesize the world around them. They add depth of meaning where others may lack it. They challenge us to view the world on another level.

No, not all are verbal, but that hardly means they are not capable of depth of thought. Others are incredibly intelligent and they will go on to make an incredible mark on the world, as my daughter is in the process of doing. And some will simply make us smile, such as Dan Aykroyd has done for years. (Yes, he has Asperger’s!)

http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1146660Photo: Amy Burton

During Autism Awareness Month, let’s choose to take time to understand these amazing individuals, celebrate their differences and encourage understanding about what Autism is – and what it isn’t. Having an Autism Spectrum Disorder isn’t always easy – for the family or the person effected by it, but our lives would lack so much depth without its presence.

Daniele and Denine have an amazing heart for children and healthy living, and I’m happy to “meet” you here at We Know Stuff, and hope you will continue to stop by as we discuss Autism and Asperger’s throughout the year.

~ Julie Clark ~

0
Share
Tweet
Pin1
1 Shares

Categories: Parenting Tags: adhd, autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)

About weknowstuff

We Know Stuff is an award-winning lifestyle blog written by two sisters, Denine & Daniele. Based in New York, we cover a variety of topics that interest families such as recipes, crafts, pets, safer skincare, fitness, parenting, education, special needs, and travel. We Know Stuff won Best Blog of Long Island from Bethpage Federal Credit Union in 2017 & 2015. The blog was also voted #2 in Pop Sugar’s Circle of Mom’s Top 25 NY Moms!

Previous Post: « Introducing Our New Guest Bloggers!
Next Post: The Gift of Early Intervention »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Food Advertising by logo
logo
Food Advertisements by

Load up on new recipes, exclusive goodies + more

get exclusive content
straight to your inbox!

© 2010-2021 We Know Stuff, all rights reserved. All images and content are the property of We Know Stuff. If you would like to use our images or content, please contact us. We serve as an affiliate for Amazon, and other organizations and individuals, whose products and/or services we recommend. In some cases, we receive referral bonuses or commissions for our promotional efforts. Any monies earned help us run and maintain this blog. Please read our Privacy Policy.
logo
Food Advertisements by

Footer

Stay Connected

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright© 2023 · All Rights Reserved · WE KNOW STUFF & ROCK SEA MEDIA Developed In Lousiana with Heart + Soul U

Follow on Instagram
Sign up for our Newsletter
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.