More children being ID'd with autism: CDC

(CBS News) There is a surprising new report on autism. The Centers for Disease Control now estimates 1 in 88 children has a disorder on the autism spectrum. That's up 23 percent from just two years ago. The rate for boys is now 1 in 54. CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller looks into what's behind the increase in Thursday's report.

The CDC's latest survey suggests autism is epidemic. It was an unexpected finding to Dr. Gary Goldstein, President of the Kennedy Krieger Institute, who studies the disorder.

"That's a pretty enormous number and I was sort of surprised that it's continuing to increase at this rate of over 20 percent," he said.

In fact, the new numbers would indicate an extraordinary situation -- that the rate of autism has doubled in just six years.

Dr. Coleen Boyle of the CDC oversaw the study. "No matter what the number is," she said, "there's one thing for certain, and that is that more children are being identified with autism."

CDC sees autism up 25 percent

In 2008, the CDC studied the medical and educational records of over 300,000 8-year-olds in 14 states. They were looking for a diagnosis or symptoms of autism spectrum disorder or ASD.

ASD refers to a group of symptoms including a profound inability to communicate, mental retardation, and other developmental disorders from mild to severe. Diagnosis can be complicated and subjective.

"The people who are making the observations are more attuned to autism and more likely to describe these symptoms," said Goldstein.

The CDC acknowledges that the surge is due in part to increased awareness. The cause of autism remains a mystery.

Some of the clues may be found in studying families like the Otts. Twelve-year-old Brock Ott was diagnosed at age five.

"I act normal now," he said. "If you got me when I was young, I'd stare into space and then I'd talk to you while I'm staring into space. You'd be talking to me and I'd be staring here and I'd still be talking to you."

"So things have gotten better?" asked Miller.

"A lot better," said Brock.

At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, researchers look for changes in the brain after birth, and even during pregnancy. That's why Brock's sister, Vianna has been monitored since she was born.

So far, she's a typical three-year-old. But given the rise in cases, her mother Naidona is anxious for answers.

"When I have grandchildren, is it going to be 1 in 2?" she asked.

Naidona's son Brock has gone through extensive therapy in specialized schools before he saw improvement. Next year, new guidelines are expected to change the definition of autism. That could drastically reduce the number of children being given the diagnosis, particularly those kids with mild autistic traits like Brock.

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[momiof4]

Has anyone ever taken into consideration that children from the ages of birth to 5 spend most of their time indoors. Our society is always looking for the quick fix. A drug to help children with Autism which insurance will cover is not the fix but a bandage. Baby shampoo, laundry detergent, cleaning products, soap and body lotions all contain small traces of toxic chemicals that mostly effect children. How many children have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, and Asthma and are taking drugs that long term will cause other health problems. When the central nervous system is attached it may take years for diseases like Alzheimers and Multiple Sclerosis to effect people in their adult years. These diseases are also increasing by the thousands every year. Products that are put on shelves in stores do not need approval. Chlorine bleach, ammonia, formaldehyde, alkaline and phosphates are in many of the products you use every day. Formaldehyde is used frequently in both cleaning and personal care products because it is a cheap preservative. Manufactures can put formaldehyde in shampoo and not list it as an ingredient! Take action and get rid of the toxic chemicals in your home. There are products you can buy that are all natural and safer for you, your family and the environment. Many diseases start by the abnormal growth of one cell so why allow any amount of these toxins into or onto your body especially your children.

[AnnieDanny]

I didn't know any children like this growing up in the 1960's and other people my age agree with me: it either didn't exist or it was very rare. I've been VERY concerned that autism is increasing at an alarming rate. What in the world are we doing to ourselves, that this is so common now?

[SkepticalMom]

Why on earth is the CDC still allowed to run this show when they've spent the last 10 years slow-walking surveillance and denying there's a problem? First it was "all genetic". Then when the numbers increased it was "better diagnosis". Now, the numbers have increased again. We are to believe that the same doctors are now even BETTER at diagnosing and that the diagnostic criteria are to blame, when the criteria haven't changed in all that time. What is happening is that there's an epidemic and the CDC has done nothing to stem it. They can't even agree it exists. Meanwhile parents and school districts are going broke paying for all the services and medical treatments these children need, most of which are not covered by insurance. Teens and adults who are aging out of the system have no place to go and will stretch SSDI to its limits. CDC's ineptitude has been disastrous for public health planning and they should be called on the carpet over it. Autism surveillance should be removed from their portfolio and turned over to an independent commission.

[kenodenis]

Our world has changed drastically in the last 35 years. We are all suffering from information overload, due in a good part to the computer, which was supposed to make our lives easier. It's obvious that the human brain cannot process the information coming to it. We surround ourselves with the high-tech electronics, we use the t.v. to babysit our toddlers. They sit their watching continual visual movement on the screen. Then we give them video games to further short-wire their brains. And we wonder why we've got a new race of "nervous wrecks?" I think half the damage is being perpetrated onto the fetus in the mother's womb, since she's living her life as a virtual computer processor as she carries the child. JMHO

[Locomotive2008]

Have they taken in to consideration while doing research that there are parents that will claim that their kids have "Autism" just to be able to get free benefits such as free babysitter and free kindergarden classes that some states provide. Is there a relative spike in Children with Autism during these years in relation to how bad economy is with paretns unable to pay for daycare and tutoring assistance, end up claiming their kids as "Autistic" even if they are not

[Mythreebears]

Loco- Autism is not something that parents can "claim", it needs to be diagnosed by a Developmental Pediatric Specialist. Early Intervention is not just handed out, children are tested and must have certain deficits in developmental areas in order to be eligible. The free services autistic and developmentally delayed children receive is much needed and unfortunately the spike has more to do with our environment and less to do with our economy.

[SkepticalMom]

Sick to death of people acting like autism is the new black. Many of these kids are non-verbal and ill with all kinds of comorbid conditions like seizures, food allergies and bowel disease that are in many cases life-threatening. School districts and social services are already cash-strapped and it is very difficult to get a diagnosis that qualifies one for services. There are no "free benefits" that come with autism. There are a lot of job losses, bankruptcies and broken marriages, however, as people have to stay home to care for and in some cases school their own children, use up home equity to pay for medical treatments not covered by insurance (if there's insurance at all), and transfer the college fund that was started in hope into a long-term care account in the hopes of providing for these grown children after their parents die. Because thanks to the CDC's inept slow-walk number shuffling, the public infrastructure is completely unprepared to deal with the huge numbers. There is no place for them to go.