Source for information

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Someone had asked me for a source for information on statistics from CA.

This is an article from the Times quoting the figures and sighting Doctors.

I hope this helps. I am still trying to locate where this would be in CA

government site.

TIMES STAFF WRITER

California shattered its record for new autism cases as 700 additional

children and young adults registered at regional centers during the first

three months of 2001.That far exceeds the previous quarterly record of 593

new autism cases during the same period in 1999.It adds urgency to the

efforts of researchers attempting to figure out why it is happening. It also

causes chagrin among many parents, and raises questions about the state's

ability to continue financing services for expanding numbers of children.

" The increase is staggering -- 700 cases in 88 days, " said Byrd,

section chief of general pediatrics at UC who is spearheading a

state-funded study of the issue. " It underscores the importance of

understanding the basis for these numbers, " Byrd said.

With other states reporting similar increases, a congressional committee will

hold hearings today and tomorrow on the issue.The House Government Reform

Committee will bring together many of the nation's leading researchers to

continue pushing for answers.Autism is a severe developmental disorder that

undermines a child's ability to connect with the world.

Autistic children often have difficulty making eye contact and speaking

clearly. Many engage in ritualistic behavior such as hand-flapping and

following routines.There is no known cause for autism. Most researchers

believe there is a genetic component, but some are also exploring whether

there may be an environmental factor -- such as a toxin, a food allergy or a

bad reaction to a vaccine -- that is triggering autism in genetically

vulnerable children.

Earlier this week, the Institute of Medicine released a report concluding

there is no evidence that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine increases a

healthy child's chance of developing autism. It noted that studies are too

imprecise to completely rule out the possibility that vaccines could trigger

autism in

rare instances, but said the risks involved in not immunizing are far greater.

In California, state officials urge people to exercise caution in reaching

conclusions from the latest statistics, which bring the total number of

full-blown autism cases to 14,777.The numbers are drawn from people who are

registered to receive services at the state Department of Developmental

Services' regional centers.Children between the ages of 3 and 13 make up the

bulk of the new cases, although there are also some young adults.

Some of these children may have received services from regional centers for

many years, but just recently been diagnosed as autistic, noted

, a program services branch manager for the department.Rick Rollens,

the father of an autistic boy, said he was " horrified " to see the latest

numbers. " However these kids got there, the fact is they're in the system

now, " Rollens said. " Clearly, the number of new cases is accelerating at an

unbelievable rate. "

Rollens is one of the founders of the Medical Investigation of

Neurodevelopmental Disorders at UC , which has received more than $34

million in state funding to explore the issue.The MIND

Institute is financing Byrd's study, which he expects to complete within a

year.

Researchers will do independent assessments of 500 autistic children and 500

mentally retarded children throughout the state.They will analyze whether

these children were properly diagnosed and whether the autistic children

share common factors, including other medical conditions such as

gastrointestinal problems, similar racial backgrounds, places where their

families lived and parents' occupations. noted that state officials

recently launched an autism initiative to ensure doctors are using uniform

guidelines to diagnose the disorder. They also hope to set up a panel of

experts to advise them on evaluation and treatment methods.

" Regardless of the cause, there are 700 persons who obviously have serious

problems, " said Ron

Huff, a psychologist for the state Department of Developmental Services.

" That is stressful on families. "

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