California Reports: Autism Epidemic Rages On - 2006 Record Year
From California autism advocate Rick Rollens.
According to information recently released by the California
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) during calendar year 2006,
California added 3,385 new cases of professionally diagnosed, full syndrome
autism to it's developmental services system...the most new cases ever added
to the system in a one year period, and a 16% increase over calendar year
2005. Also, DDS reports that an all time record number of new intakes
came into the system during one quarter in the 38 year history of
California's DD system during the fourth quarter of 2006 (October through
December) when 956 new cases entered the system. The previous record was
846.
(Keep in mind, that all of the data reported by DDS, ONLY includes
persons with professionally diagnosed full syndrome DSM IV autism, and DOES
NOT include persons with PDD, NOS, Asperger's Syndrome or any other autism
spectrum disorder.) California is now averaging over 9 new cases of full
syndrome autism entering California's DD system a day, seven days a week.
78% of the autism population in the system is under the age of 18,
with 84% under the age of 22 years old.
We currently have 1,223 more 3 to 5 year olds in the system then we
have for ALL ages from 22 years old to 62 years old and beyond.
20 years ago in 1987 there were 2,273 persons with autism in
California's system. Today, 20 years later, there are 32,809.
By the end of 2002, 39% of all new intakes were full syndrome autism
cases. Four years later at the end of 2006, autism now accounts for 64% of
all new intakes. Therefore, today over 6 out of 10 persons entering
California's DD system have full syndrome autism, and less then four persons
entering the system have mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy
combined!
Below is a chart comparing the age distribution of the autism
population for the four year period between 12/02 and 12/06 with percentage
comparisons broken down by age group as the part of the whole for 12/02 and
12/06, and the percentage increase by age group between 12/02 and 12/06:
DECEMBER 2002 DECEMBER 2006
3-5 year olds 4039 *(20%) 3-5 year olds 6348 (19%) ** 36%
6-9 year olds 5884 (29%) 6-9 year olds 8782 (27%) 33%
10-13 year olds 3733 (18%) 10-13 year olds 6312 (19%) 41%
14-17 year olds 1825 (9%) 14-17 year olds 4108 (13%) 56%
18-21 year olds 1118 (5%) 18-21 year olds 2102 (6%) 47%
22 to 62 & older 3762 (18%) 22 to 62 & older 5125 (16%) 27%
TOTAL: 20,377 TOTAL: 32,809
* = % OF WHOLE FOR THAT YEAR
** = % INCREASE OVER FOUR YEARS
Here's a shot out to the Schafer Report. They compile media such as this every day which saves us parents so much time. They are the best!
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