Guest guest Posted January 1, 2004 Report Share Posted January 1, 2004 DISABILITIES & SPECIAL EDUCATIONResearch by the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental DisordersInstitute (MIND) at the University of California at indicates that thenumber of children suffering from autism is increasing at an alarming rate.MIND reports that since January, 2003, California has been adding an averageof 11 names a day to its list of severely autistic children qualifying forstate-financed services. The average lifetime cost of these educationalservices is $4 million per child. As a result, the increase in childreneligible for services represents an increase in the state's long-termfinancial responsibility of $44 million a day. The MIND report notes that inthe first nine months of 2003, state taxpayer liability has increased byover $1 billion. MIND's figures show an increase in autistic children from20,377 in December, 2003 to over 22,000 currently. While MIND calledattention to this trend four years ago in testifying to Congress that theincidence of autism had increased by 300%, it now reports that the rate hasdoubled. MIND is currently conducting studies to determine the cause forthis dramatic increase. A leading suspect is preservatives in serums used ininoculations against childhood diseases. Another potential cause ishousehold chemicals or chemicals that make their way into common foods.Sacramento BeeBy WhitneyFull story:http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/7823487p-8764252c.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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