Autism News
Autism Prevalence Rising Rapidly in Some Schools
In Wisconsin, the number of children with autism is increasing in school districts with low baseline prevalence, while other school districts are seeing a leveling off in their numbers, according to research published online Oct. 25 in Pediatrics.
MONDAY, Oct. 25 (HealthDay News) — In Wisconsin, the number of children with autism is increasing in school districts with low baseline prevalence, while other school districts are seeing a leveling off in their numbers, according to research published online Oct. 25 in Pediatrics.
Matthew J. Maenner, and Maureen S. Durkin, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin in Madison, looked at special education enrollment counts in all elementary school districts in Wisconsin from 2002 through 2008 to calculate the prevalence of children with autism. Districts were grouped into eight categories (octiles) according to their baseline prevalence.
The researchers found that, during the study period, the overall prevalence of autism increased from 4.9 to 9.0 cases per 1,000 children. Districts in the lowest octile of autism prevalence in 2002 tended to have rapid increases in prevalence over the study period, while the districts in the highest octile of autism prevalence in 2002 did not see significant increases. The highest octile/lowest octile ratio fell from 24.6 in 2002 to 1.8 in 2008.
“The prevalence of autism is expressed popularly as single point estimates for relatively large regions, such as countries or states. The findings presented here demonstrate that variability of trends within smaller areas offers additional insights into the increasing prevalence of autism in special education, and they reveal heterogeneous trends within a population,” the authors write.
Family of autistic boy searches for stolen van, wheelchair
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A St. Paul mother is hoping someone will return the family van she uses to bring her autistic son to doctors appointments.
On Sunday morning, Sue Klingenberg planned to take her son for a drive to see fall colors.
“One of the joys of his life is riding in the car,” says Sue.
The plan changed when Sue walked outside and noticed the family van was missing. It was stolen, Sue says, from where it was parked right next to the house.
“I went into shock and my main concern was how do I transport Mike. How do I get him anywhere,” says Sue.
Now for most of us, our cars get us from point a to point b.
But for Sue and Michael their 1983 Chevy Vandura was a lifeline.
18-year-old Michael has severe autism and a lot of difficulty getting around. Sue needed the van to get him to doctor’s appointments. But it was also a way to experience the world for a kid who’s had a tough ride.
“There is not a lot that he can do so the few things that he can do we want to keep in place for him,” says Sue.
Police say someone stole the van between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. Sunday morning from Tatum and Minnehaha in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood.
“We’re asking the public to pay special attention to be on the lookout for this van. It has some unique features that would stand out,” says Officer John Keating with the St. Paul Police Department.
Michael’s wheelchair was also in the van. It’s gone too, along with several other personal items.
“That car was everything to us. I have done a lot of things to the car to make it perfect for Michael and with autism it’s important to keep things the same.”
“They took something away from a disabled child who already has enough difficulty in his life and we simply would like someone to return the car.”
Sue tells KARE 11 that children with autism often are creatures of habit so it will be very difficult she says for Michael to understand that the van is gone and why.
And his family is also very concerned as winter approaches about how they will get around.
Michael recently started having seizures and has many upcoming doctors’ appointments.
The van is a 1983 Chevy Vandura – Minnesota license plate M-H-U-8-7-6 it’s blue and white.
Anyone with information should call 911.
National Autism Association Applauds Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee’s Formation of Safety Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Autism Association (NAA) is applauding the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) today following the Committee’s decision late Friday to instate a subcommittee dedicated to safety issues within the autism community. Members voted unanimously to establish the subcommittee that will work to address the rising number of fatalities and injuries associated with autism-related wandering. Other safety issues that may be addressed include restraint and seclusion in schools, bullying, victimization and domestic crises.
The Committee’s decision came following a presentation by NAA Board Chair Lori McIlwain and President Wendy Fournier, who provided information to the IACC about a spate of recent fatalities associated with autism-related wandering. Their request for the formation of a safety subcommittee was combined with recommendations outlining the need for medical coding specific to autism-related wandering, data collection, greater access to tracking technology, first-responder training, and federally-backed safety information for families.
The absence of an emergency broadcast alert system for minors with cognitive impairments was also addressed by NAA. Federal guidelines established for AMBER Alert criteria currently do not include at-risk minors prone to wandering as a result of brain injury, disability or other cognitive impairment. States that have adopted the “Silver Alert” Emergency Broadcast Alert System for at-risk seniors with dementia oftentimes do not allow minors with cognitive impairments into its criteria.
The Committee’s vote to form a safety subcommittee had parents and advocates applauding in the background as IACC members spoke about the urgent need for action, preventative measures and emergency response that would work to reduce and prevent fatalities and injuries among those with autism spectrum disorders.
“We are extremely grateful for the IACC’s decision to take immediate action in addressing these critical safety issues within the autism community,” stated Wendy Fournier. “We also extend our thanks to Sheila Medlam, who bravely spoke during the public comment period about the recent loss of her 5-year-old son Mason in a tragic wandering incident.”
NAA was most encouraged by the possibility of getting a medical diagnosis code established for autism-related wandering. According to Board Chair Lori McIlwain, “Children and adults within the autism community need for wandering to be recognized as a medical condition. Diagnostic coding for autism elopement will be useful in prompting critical discussions between physicians and caregivers – it will also raise the seriousness level of the condition among first responders and school administrators, and possibly provide greater caregiver access to tracking technology.”