The Rise of Autism

In February 2007 the Centers for Disease Control and legal profession revised the prevalence figures for ASD to adept in every 150 individuals (Richard, 2008, p. 26). in that respect be many theories for this increased incidence. wholeness work out discussed is the dexterity to last fully diagnose the disorder. Since the increased aw arness of autism, scientists convey been busy researching and modifying the symptomatic criteria for autism. Correctly diagnosing is a very important step in assist children improve skills that be affected by autism.The former(a) factors discussed are the general schoolingal disorders that take place during early childhood. in that respect are many practical factors, such as vaccinations and genetics, that have led to the b champion up of autism and be bring in of this bob up funding for autism research has increased tremendously, as has the cost of treatments. Autism apply to be a low incidence disorder outright it is one of the faste st growing developmental disabilities in the United States. There is nevertheless not one explanation for this sudden change in history, exactly scientists are getting closer and closer to the answer everyday.Since scientists have spy a diagnosis for autism, they have been subject to fail understand autism and the return-at-able causes for its existence. Proper diagnosis has been a huge factor in the scrape up of autism, moreover that chill out doesnt mean the cause of autism is not important. There is a reason for this rise and mothering the cause is the only focusing scientists are going to be able to prevent this increased incidence from growing in the future. One accomplishable factor that scientists are researching is environmental toxins. Evironmental toxins have been a long suspect for the cause of autism.There are many ways that children can be undefended to these toxins. Children could be exposed even before birth, during excessive ultrasounds and even electro nic devices. One scientist conducted a study on the drug terbutaline, a drug used to surrender pre-term labor in pregnant woman. He effectuate a locate correlation in the continued use of terbutaline and the increased likelihood of autism among twin (Patel & Curtis, 2008, p. 83). This is just one study that has been proven to assign a connecter surrounded by environmental toxins and autism. Mercury is another issue that has been researched.Mercury has been sit in the air through coal-fired power plants, as well in vaccines. Mercury and other chemicals have been shown to alter the normal development of the witticism during fetal development in the womb and during early childhood development (Kirby, 2005). Findings have indicated that many children have a metabolic impairment that reduces their ability to rid their bodies of heavy metals and other toxins (Wallis, 2008). This suggests that there is some link amidst the two, environmental toxins and autism, even if toxins are n ot the sole cause of the disorder. some other possible factor is nutritional problems among ill children. Autistic children have significantly low levels of nutrients in the hair, blood and other tissues. Along with the lack of nutrients, they normally have low levels of magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamins A, B-complex, D and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and carnitine (Patel & Curtis, 2008, p. 82). Therefore, this proves that nutritional deficiencies is a common problem among autistic children and may link scientists to a possible cause. Another issue scientists have found in autistic children deals with the allergies towards gluten and casein.Gluten is a protein found in wheat and other grains and casein is a protein found in dairy products. Scientists have found that children who have allergies to gluten and casein stimulate odd behaviors. If an autistic child would eat either of these two substances it would charge them into hours of disturbing behaviors (Simontacchi, 2008, p. 10) . Scientists have found because of this study that children that are a gluten-free and casein-free diet, they do not experience as many tantrum behaviors. This too helps confirm the fact that nutritional problems can cause autism.The last possible factor discussed is the possibility of genetics and its connection to autism. Most scientists conceive that genetics is one of the major causes for autism. There are many chance uponings that have led scientists to believe this is true and one of these is simply because this disorder has been known to run in families. Studies have shown that if one child is autistic, his or her sibling has a terce to six percent chance of cosmos autistic as well. very(a) twins have a much greater probability of being autistic than fraternal twins (Merriman, 2008, p. 8).This is more than enough evidence to show that there is a connection between genetics and autism. Scientists have as well discovered a variety of genes that have showed signs that li nk to autism. Scientists are still not positive which gene has more of a connection with autism, but they definitely have found a relation between the two. One of the areas that researchers in the Autism Consortium have identified is the 25-gene area on chromosome 16 that when duplicated or deleted could account for a small percent geezerhood of autism cases (Merriman, 2008, p. 18).Scientists have unveil a lot of new evidence to support the connection between autism and genetics. The rise in autism has increased funds for autism research tremendously. Since scientists have been able to fully diagnose autism, government involvement has grown immensely. There have been many new foundations introduced to help research for autism. One of the many embroil The Autism Research Foundation, which is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to researching the neurological underpinnings of autism and other related developmental brain disorders (Chmura, 2008).The Autism Research Foundat ion has a heavy(a) impact on the future for autism research. A recent news leaving in April 2008 stated that, The FY08 Defense Appropriations Act provides $6. 4 million for the surgical incision of Defense Autism Research Program to improve the lives of individuals living with autism spectrum disorder now (Chmura, 2008). This contribution has been an enormous help in the funding for autism research. The rise of autism has also caused an increase in cost for the families of the autistic children.Families of the autistic child drip thousands of dollars on treatment. Most of this money families spend is just trying to find the right treatment for their child because not all treatments work for the selfsame(prenominal) for every child. New technology has also been a factor in the increased cost for autism treatments. Not only is the cost of the treatments expensive so is the cost of wake and diagnosis. Many groups have started grant programs to assist those families with an autisti c child who are in financial crisis. One of these grants is brought by the national Autism Association.Families who live in the United States with a child, no older than age eighteen, on the autism spectrum may qualify for the grant. The maximum dollar amount one can request is $1,500. This money is to only be used for biomedical treatments, supplements or therapies for the child (CDC study, 2007, p. 6). These grant programs will be a huge help for families who are struggling to pay for these expensive treatments and screening tests. Scientists are still in the process of finding the exact cause of autism. One day scientists may in the end be able to find a cure and put an end to this rise of autism children.Knowledge of autism has come a long way since the first diagnosis of autism and hopefully that slew continues into the future. Diagnosis has been a very important part in helping autistic children improve their skills as well as helping scientists better understand autism alt ogether. Now scientists have a lead in the possible factors like environmental toxins, nutrition, and genetics. Once the pieces are put together, scientists will finally be able to control and hopefully put an end to the rise of autism among children in the United States.Referencehttp//www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1821595,00.html