Both kids have autism? The US government measures 3 ways

The true incidence of autism x & # 39; likely to vary from about 1 in 59 children to 1 in 40 children, the researchers say, taking into account information from the three surveys.

"All contribute different information to form a more complete picture", said Michael Kogan, main author of the new report led by U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, a federal agency.

Several reports in & # 39; in recent years have suggested that rates & # 39; autism is increasing slightly. The experts think mainly due to earlier diagnosis, definition and expanded awareness, but say they can not exclude a real increase caused by unknown factors.

Here's a rundown on the three surveys:

– The latest estimate is based on responses from over 43,000 parent & # 39; children between 3 and 17 years. Were asked if their child ever been diagnosed with & # 39; autism spectrum disorder, the formal name including mild cases to severe. The 2016 survey was based on the Internet; Those were earlier telephone survey show slightly higher rates but researchers say that the results are not comparable,

The national representative survey suggest that about 1.5 million children of & # 39; the United States have autism – 2.5 percent or 1 in & # 39; 40.

– The Centers for Control and Prevention of Disease gather representative data at national level by internal interviews. In 2016, also asked parents & # 39; children & # 39; between 3 and 17 years who have been diagnosed with autism and emerged with & # 39; slightly higher rate than in previous years but similar to the estimate & # 39; 1 f & # 39; 40.

– The CDC also uses system & # 39; tracking & # 39; 11 states. It is based on health records and school to show which children meet the criteria for autism, focusing on those 8 years since the vast majority of cases are diagnosed by that age. Report from this network came in & # 39; April, showed that 1 in 59 children had autism but in & # 39; certain places found much higher rates. This estimate is considered the most rigorous, but not national representative.

Autism Speaks, a group & # 39; advocacy, is among the organizations that use the estimate of the CDC network. It tends to be more conservative and potentially more accurate than the parental reports, the director said Dean Hartley, senior director for the group,

The autism is a disorder & # 39; & # 39 development can; involve varying degrees & # 39; language and social impairments, often including repetitive behavior.