Developmental disabilities are on the rise, with significant increases in autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to results from a new study reported in Pediatrics (Trends in the Prevalence of Developmental Disabilities in US Children, 1997–2008).
Researchers studied information collected from the 1997 to 2008 National Health Interview Surveys, focusing on parent-reported diagnoses in 119,367 children 3 to 17 years of age. The prevalence of any developmental disability increased 17.1%, from 12.84% to 15.04%, over the 12-year study period.
The upward trend in developmental disabilities was primarily because of a 33% increase in ADHD. Autism, however, had the largest relative increase at 289.5%, rising nearly 4-fold from 0.19% to 0.74%.
With the dramatic increase of developmental disabilities, the critical need for more health and education services is obvious. Yet, the continuation of budget cuts and freezes surround us.
0 comments:
Post a Comment