It's hard for me to tell whether there are more developmental problems or just better diagnosis because my kids are so young. I have talked to teachers who say they are seeing more problems now compared to 10-20 years ago. So I guess I am leaning toward more disorders. What do you think?
FROM ABC: It seems that doctors are finding autism more and more common. Now a new government study continues the trend-- which includes other developmental problems. Autism and other childhood development difficulties have increased seventeen per cent in the last ten years.
That's the finding of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-- published in the journal "Pediatrics." Based on data from children age three to seventeen, the authors found a rise in those with: - autism - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - cerebral palsy - mental retardation (and) - seizures Autism had the biggest increase, rising four-fold between 2006 and 2008.
But Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder rose thirty-three per cent-- the biggest reason for the higher incidence of developmental problems. Boys had a higher prevalence than girls. The experts say the increase may be due to more pre-term births and parents having kids at later ages. They also cite better awareness and detection.
-NewsAnchorMom Jen
