Special Needs
Is Autism on the Rise or Are We Better at Catching It?
Latest CDC autism figures from April show 15 percent rise
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he latest analysis published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concludes that autism might be more prevalent than previously estimated. They are now calling for more effort to be made toward early detection. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are conditions that affect development. They impact the ways a person interacts with other people and alter how they perceive the world. And, though every case is different, the most common symptoms include delayed speech development, trouble interacting with peers and repetitive behaviors. As for prevalence, in 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that it affected one in 68 children — about 1.5 percent of all children. However, as of April this year, they updated this estimate. The revision comes off the back of the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. This tracking system follows more than 325,000 8-year-old children, which accounts
for around 8 percent of all 8-yearolds in the United States. The ADDM assesses the young participants for any characteristics of ASD. It is the largest network of its type and the only one that also follows the health and education of each child. The data come from 11 communities in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The new results were published in April. According to the analysis, in 2014, one in 59 children — or 1.7 percent — had ASD. That represents a 15 percent rise from two years ago. Also, boys were four times more likely to receive a diagnosis than girls. Why has the figure changed? There are many potential ways to explain why the percentage of children with ASD may have risen. For instance, improvements in the identification of ASD in minority populations could be part of the answer. Although, ASD is still more likely to be diagnosed in white children than Hispanic or black children. Physician Stuart Shapira, an as-
sociate director for science at CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, explains: “Autism prevalence among black and Hispanic children is approaching that of white children. The higher number of black and Hispanic children now being identified with autism could be due to more effective outreach in minority communities and increased efforts to have all children screened for autism so they can get the services they need.” Improving diagnostic services in minority communities is vital; the earlier ASD is caught, the more successful interventions tend to be. If children are put in contact with support services at an early age, they are more likely to reach their full potential. Interestingly, autism rates across the 11 communities varied. Five regions had similar levels (1.3–1.4 percent), but the highest rate was seen in the New Jersey community, which hit one in 34 (2.9 percent). The researchers believe that this disparity might be due to differences in the way that autism is documented and diagnosed in different areas.
After the 2016 results were published, many concluded that the rise in ASD had paused. Now, some believe that this may not be the case. The take-home message from these findings is that diagnosis needs to occur earlier. For instance, they found that fewer than half of children who identified as having ASD received their diagnosis before they were 4. Also, although 85 percent of children with ASD had medical notes outlining concerns about their development by the age of 3, only 42 percent of them had received a developmental evaluation. “Parents can track their child’s development and act early if there is a concern,” explains Shapira. “Healthcare providers can acknowledge and help parents act on those concerns.” “And those who work with or on behalf of children can join forces to ensure that all children with autism get identified and connected to the services they need as early as possible,” he adds. “Together, we can improve a child’s future.”
Kelberman Center: Not Just a Preschool
Center planning to transform Utica facility into a 60-unit apartment building. At least 20 units will be for people with autism By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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ne in 59 U.S. children will be diagnosed with autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For many, the support they receive early in life makes a difference with how they fit in with their community and also the opportunities available to them for socialization, recreation and employment. The Kelberman Center, with offices in Syracuse and Utica, serves autistic people and their families in all of these areas, beginning with preschool for children diagnosed as early as 2. The Kelberman Center provides early intervention through the preschool. While the preschool has helped many people know about the Kelberman Center, that’s not all the organization offers. “A lot of people may know of just one area that we focus on,” Eryn A. Balch, manager and director of business operations at Kelberman Center. “A lot say, ‘We thought you had only a preschool!’” Through different life stages, the Kelberman Center works with more than 65 different school districts. “We work with them with a spePage 20
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cific child,” Balch said. “We can do training for teachers so people with autism can be successful in regular classrooms. The school will have a budget for activities that support them.” The Kelberman Center also organizes social events, including a bowling club, cooking group, camping, equine therapy, Lego club and activities at the Root Farm in Sauquoit in the Mohawk Valley region. “A lot of times, it’s great to meet other families who ‘get it’ and share their struggles and successes,” Balch. As participants grow up, the Kelberman Center offers a program for pre-vocational services. This year marks the second supported internship program with Utica College. “We help with job coaching and trying different career skills,” Balch said. “Utica College lets our students work in different departments throughout the campus,” Balch said. The 10-month program allows participants to work alongside a job coach. “They follow a curriculum with how they can better communicate with others,” Balch said. “It’s a very successful program.”
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2018
Family support and classes help families learn better strategies for both communicating better and activities of daily living. Many clinic services are covered by Medicaid and insurance. Fundraisers also help the Kelberman Center provide services at low or no cost to families in need. “The clinic has really gotten off the ground in the last few years,” Balch said. She added that the Kelberman Center plans to look at independent living options, including 24-7 supported residence. “From a parent’s perspective, ‘What will happen when I’m not here anymore?’” Balch said. “We’re still in the early stages, but we’re looking at the former Sunset School building in Utica to make it Sunset Independent Living.” The organization has purchased the building at 2507 Sunset Ave. with tentative plans to transform it into a 60-unit apartment building. At least 20 units will be reserved for people with autism who may need some support. “A ‘paid neighbor’ will be someone on-call who can help just in case they need it,” Balch said. “A lot of
Erin A. Balch, director at Kelberman Center. young adults with autism have a routine and things they do during the day but overnight is sometimes more difficult. A place to go where you know people are there to help opens up a world of opportunity.” As a mixed-use building, it may also contain office space on the first floor. The organization hasn’t entirely finished its planning at this point. Balch said that the Kelberman Center hopes to expand to a greater geographic area. “There are a lot of families in need, we’re finding,” Balch said. “We want to continue to grow to meet the needs throughout central New York. We want to work more closely with schools. “Fifty thousand kids across the US age out of school-based services every year. In 10 years, that’s half a million people who’ll need some kind of support. Many are willing to find a way to be independent.”