Autism Awareness Month: Autism Rates Unchanged But Many Racial And Ethnic Groups Remain Undiagnosed

Autism cases in the U.S. remain the same since two years ago but experts notice a disparity among racial and ethnic groups. Autism Awareness Month kicks off with a 5k race hosted by the Autism Center.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism disorder affects one in 68 children in the U.S. or 1.46 percent. The rates remain largely unchanged from a similar report that was made two years ago, according to a report from John Hopkins University.

Boys are 4.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder compared to girls. One in 42 boys is diagnosed with autism while only one in 189 girls is detected with the disorder.

Since the 1960s, rates for autism spectrum disorder were on the rise largely speculated due to more accurate diagnoses. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to improving learning and skills at an early age.

Unfortunately, while 95 percent of children aged 3 were identified with autism, only 55 percent of them received a comprehensive evaluation. This has raised concerns regarding the delay to get identified and receive appropriate services.

Despite the overall prevalence rates, a disparity was noticed among racial and ethnic groups, according to Li-Ching Lee, a psychiatric epidemiologist with the Bloomberg School's Department of Epidemiology and Mental Health. Lee said that Hispanic children were less likely to be evaluated for development concerns, which made autism less likely to be identified.

The 2016 Autism Awareness Race hosted by the Autism Center was held on April 2, Saturday in Tupelo, Mississippi to raise awareness for the disease and help fund therapy scholarships for people dealing with autism. The race came just in time for Autism Awareness Month, which happens every month of April.

Around 200 people attended the race with the funds going directly to therapy grants and scholarships. One of the aims of the race is to let people know exactly what autism is so people do not feel clueless or are misinformed.

After a misdiagnosis by three medical doctors, Miriam Goodman's son, Jackson was diagnosed with autism at three years old. Unfortunately, Goodman, who was one of the racers during the event, did not know much about the condition despite being a nurse.

Goodman turned to the Autism Center to ask about Jackson's symptoms and behavior just as many other families affected by the disease, according to D Journal. Jackson, who is now six years old, underwent speech therapy and occupational therapy at the Autism Center and has now since adjusted to attending public school.