Rise in Autism Cases Due To Semantics, Reclassification, Study Says

A recent study has published that the rise in autism cases across the United States may be due to semantics. According to a team of researchers at Penn State University, the rise in the country's autism rate has more to do with poor classifications standards and reclassification than a medical phenomenon.

NBC News notes that 97 percent  of the increase in autism between the decade of 2000 to 2010 may be attributed to reclassification. 
In the published report via American Journal of Medical Genetics, a majority of the increase, specifically two-thirds of it, could be due to reclassification -- especially among older kids. 

With focus on 11 years of special-education enrollment, Yahoo! adds that the study looked at enrollment data of more than 6 million children annually and found that the rise of autism could also be offset by the decrease in the diagnosis of other mental issues/ disorders. 

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 30 percent increase in autism diagnoses among 8-year-olds from two years ago. Between 2008 and 2010, the statistic has grown to one in ever 68 children. 

The estimate was based on a review of 2010 records for kids aged 8 across 11 states. The incidence of autism, per CNN, ranged from the lowest of one in 175 diagnosed with autism in Alabama while there was a high of one in 45 in New Jersey. 

The results of the study have sparked a heated debate that centers on what could be causing the sharp spike in cases of autism. This study has provided evidence to the perspective that the new statistics is a reflection of the growing awareness of the condition as well as a reclassification, grouping of children that have caused the numbers to change and rise. 

While the debate is far from over, one thing is for sure, early detection and intervention plays a big role in increasing the chances of overcoming the difficulties tied to the disorder. 

"It's not a cure, but it changes the trajectory," quoted CNN of Dr. Gary Goldstein, president and CEO of the Kennedy Krieger Institute and professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins University.

"We need to continue our efforts to educate the health care community and general public to recognize the developmental problems associated with ASD and other developmental disorders at earliest age possible, so that intervention can be initiated, bad habits can be avoided and families will know what's wrong with their child," added Dr. Max Wiznitzer, a pediatric neurologist at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland.