autism spectrum disorders – Palm Beach Speech Teach

Rates of autism spectrum disorder among children in the U.S. remained stable from 2014 to 2016, according to new research—a change from previous studies that found steady increases over the past two decades.

The new research letter, published in JAMA, looked at survey responses from a nationally representative sample of more than 30,000 children, ages 3 to 17, and their families. From 2014 to 2016, adults in each household were asked if a doctor had ever told them that their child had autism, Asperger’s disorder, pervasive developmental disorder or autism spectrum disorder. Data from the study was then adjusted to account for differences in people’s age, gender and ethnicity.

The researchers found that in 2014, 2.24% of participating children were reported to have an autism spectrum disorder. That number rose only slightly in 2015 and 2016, to 2.41% and 2.58%, respectively—an increase that was not statistically significant.

Autism rates did vary by sub-group. Over the three-year period, 3.54% of boys were reported to have an autism spectrum disorder, compared to 1.22% of girls. Prevalence was 1.78% in Hispanic children, 2.36% in black children and 2.71% in white children.

The overall estimate for autism prevalence among children in the analysis—2.4%—is higher than another recent estimate, from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, of 1.46%. The discrepancy may be explained by differences in study design, the authors note in their report. For example, the new study asked parents if their child has received a diagnosis, while the previous study looked at education and health-care evaluations.

Source: Time Health January 2, 2018

Asperger’s syndrome is a neurological disorder which falls under the category of autism spectrum disorders- a group of disorders characterized by impaired communication and social interaction. About 1 percent of the world’s population is affected by this disorder. Although exact symptoms may vary from child to child, there are many behaviors that may be signs of Asperger’s syndrome. Here are the most common:

1. Unusual Body Language

Your child may make unusual facial expressions or stare at others a lot. More likely, however, a child will avoid making eye contact all together.

2. Fixation on One Activity

Many children with Asperger’s are preoccupied with a single or few interests for hours on end and do not engage in play with other children.

3. Overly “Formal” Speech

Children with Asperger’s have advanced verbal skills and tend to speak more formally than expected for their age or prefer talking with adults.

4. Difficulty Reading Social Cues

Social difficulties is one of the most “obvious” of the Asperger’s symptoms. Reading body language may be hard, as well as turn-taking or accepting others point of view and sticking to a topic of conversation. A child may talk incessantly without giving others a chance to speak, or notice that others are becoming bored with the conversation.

5. Lack of Empathy

Many child with Asperger’s have a lack of empathy for others and have no idea that others have feelings or wants.

6. Delayed motor development

From fine motor (ie writing) to gross motor (ie riding a bike), poor or delayed motor skills could be a sign of Asperger’s syndrome.

7. Sensory Sensitivities

It’s possible for a child with Asperger’s to have heightened sensory sensitivity. Things such as loud noises, strong lights, or even certain textures can cause them to become overstimulated and overwhelmed.

8. Can’t Understand Speech Subtleties

Some people with Asperger’s have a hard time understanding speech tone, pitch, and accent. They may take words very literally and not comprehend humor or jokes.

9. Strong Need for Routine

Many people with Asperger’s prefer to adhere to a strict routine for everything from bedtime to meals and showers. Having structure is very important, otherwise they may feel unsettled or confused.

10. Emotional Meltdowns

When a child with Asperger’s becomes overwhelmed they often have a meltdown. This is a common result of routines or plans not going as expected.