10 Things to Know about the New Autism Data

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You might remember from the beginning of the month that April is Autism Awareness Month and there is new data from the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network which shows that the estimated number of children identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise. The following are based on information collected from health and special education records of children who were 8 years old in 11 states in 2010:

1. About 1 in 68 children were identified with ASD. 
2. This new estimate is roughly 30% higher than the estimate for 2008, roughly 60% higher than the estimate for 2006, and roughly 120% higher than the estimates for 2002 and 2000. We don't know what is causing this increase. Some of it may be due to the way children are identified, diagnosed, and served in their local communities.
3. The number of children identified with ASD varied widely by community, from 1 in 175 children in areas of Alabama to 1 in 45 children in areas of New Jersey.
4. Almost half (46%) of children identified with ASD had average or above average intellectual ability.
5. Boys were almost 5 times more likely to be identified with ASD than girls. 
6. White children were more likely to be identified with ASD than black or Hispanic children. 
7. Less than half (44%) of children identified with ASD were evaluated for developmental concerns by the time they were 3 years old.
8. Most children identified with ASD were not diagnosed until after age 4, even though children can be diagnosed as early as age 2.
9. Black and Hispanic children identified with ASD were more likely than white children to have an intellectual disability. 
10. About 80% of children identified with ASD either received special education services for autism at school or had an ASD diagnosis from a clinician. The remaining 20% of children had symptoms of ASD documented, but had not yet been classified by a professional in a school or clinic.

Check out the full report and get more information here.

Register for the Alabama Public Health Training Network's upcoming satellite conference and live webcast, "Developing Alabama's System of Services and Resources for Children With Autism: Lessons Learned and Taught." This program will be broadcast on Wednesday, May 7, 2014; 12:00-1:30 p.m. (Central Time). To see the conference flyer for this program click here (pdf). To register for this program click here.

National Minority Health Month

Autism Awareness, Week of the Young Child, Child Abuse Prevention, AND Minority Health - April is a busy month! Here's what U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has to say on National Minority Health Month:

In April, we commemorate National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about health disparities that persist among racial and ethnic minorities. This year’s theme - “Prevention is Power: Taking Action for Health Equity” - embodies the ambitious goal put forward by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to achieve “a nation free of disparities in health and health care.”

During Minority Health Month, we applaud the commitment of all of our federal, state, tribal, and local partners in our shared work to implement the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and the National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity. To learn more about National Minority Health Month and what HHS is doing to achieve health equity, please visit www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov.

To read Secretary Sebelius' full statement, click here.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

“April showers bring May flowers”, at some time in our lives we have heard and repeated those simple words. In this phrase, we hear that for those who wait patiently for the dampness of April to pass, the rewards are great. We will once again celebrate clear days for play in May. The wonderful sights and smells of blossoms and new growth fill the air. April may bring unpleasant images of dreary days, but we know it will soon be replaced with the flowers of May.

Child abuse is another, much more terrible thing to deal with. April is National Child Abuse Prevention month and a time that we are reminded to recognize families and communities that are working to prevent child abuse and neglect. We celebrate the work of organizations who strive to turn the tragedy of child abuse into success stories of life and growth.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Much has improved regarding understanding, preventing, and treating child abuse and neglect, but there is still more to be done. According to the Kids Count Data Center, a stunning 9,824 cases of child abuse were reported in Alabama in 2012. The sad word in that statement is “reported”. Reminding us that there could be more cases we may never know of.

To participate in Child Abuse Prevention activities, look for ways to make “meaningful connections” in your neighborhood and community. Blue is the color of Child Abuse Prevention month and you can show support many ways, such as passing out blue pinwheels, planting blue pansies, or wearing a blue ribbon on your raincoat. You can also download this toolkit (pdf) to connect to activities happening right here in Alabama.

Autism Awareness

The Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council (AIACC), led by the Alabama Department of Mental Health, was created to meet the urgent and substantial need to develop and implement a statewide system of care for individuals with autism and their families.

Join the AIACC in recognizing that April 2 is World Autism Day, and April is Autism Awareness Month.

Around the world, state and national governments, private industries, and households will recognize World Autism Day as they “Light it Up Blue.” On April 2, standard light bulbs will be replaced by a hue of blue – showing awareness and concern for those affected by autism. The Birmingham City Hall and the RSA Battlehouse Tower in Mobile are just a couple of the buildings changing Alabama’s landscape. Governor Bentley recently signed a proclamation designating April as Autism Awareness Month in Alabama.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a brain disorder affecting communication and social interactions, and occurs before the age of three (DSM-5). Signs of ASD include:

• Repetitive behaviors
• Impairments in verbal and nonverbal communication
• Difficulties with socialization

The most recent statistics from the CDC (pdf) indicate that 1 in 88 children are affected by ASD. The prevalence rate for boys is 1 in 54. Early detection, early and appropriate intervention, and continued support throughout the lifetime for the people affected by autism and their families are vital.

If you would like to purchase the blue-tinted bulbs or a “Light It Up Blue” t-shirt, contact the Autism Society of Alabama (877-4AUTISM).

What's in a Nap?

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Child care providers and parents know that naps are an essential part of a young child’s life. However, there isn’t a huge body of research available to back that up. Recently the National Institutes of Health conducted a study that shows naps reboot energy and aid healthy development. In a preschool classrooms study, taking a nap helped with memory and supported learning. These results may help educators make informed decisions about naps.

Research was done on forty preschoolers by Dr. Rebecca Spencer and her team on exploring the relationship between early childhood naps and memory formation. The researchers taught the preschoolers a game called Memory. The objective of the game was for them to learn and remember 9 or 12 cartoons located on a grid. During the research, the children either took a nap or were kept awake. Researchers found that the children who took a nap recalled 10% more of the cartoon images and children who regularly took naps saw the most benefit.

So, not only do naps help young children’s health, but also with their learning. This study affirms that routine and the opportunity for rest is crucial for healthy early childhood development.

For more information on the study, follow this link.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

In 1987, President Reagan declared March "Mental Retardation Awareness Month" to encourage opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Since renamed "Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month", this month is still set aside to celebrate individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, as well as promote general understanding and awareness.

Join the ARC and other organizations by using #DDAware on social media and joining the "Let's Go Out" movement on March 29! How can you participate?

"Simply make plans to go out somewhere in public on Saturday, March 29. That’s all. Just plan a day out and about with friends and family or by yourself enjoying the things you like to do. And, in the process help raise awareness and generate some conversation about people with I/DD. This one-day movement will serve to harness our collective power to gain allies, foster understanding, dispel myths and encourage people without disabilities to recognize that we’re not so different after all." 

Visit http://www.thearc.org/lets-go-out for more information and ideas to celebrate.

National Poison Prevention Week

March 16th-22nd is National Poison Prevention Week.

Adults should always try to keep poisons out of reach of young children, but accidents do happen. According to the Poison Prevention Week Council, “More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the 57 poison control centers across the country. More than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home. The majority of non-fatal poisonings occur in children younger than six years old.” Poison Prevention Week is designed to raise awareness of possible sources of poison and to prevent accidental poisonings. The Poison Prevention Week Council provides informational tips (pdf) and steps that can help you prevent poisoning.

It’s important to share this preventive information with anyone who supervises children (grandparents, neighbors, etc.), as we are reminded that adult drug prescriptions are strongly associated with pediatric poisonings. Child resistant bottle caps, latched drawers, and locked cabinets are the best ways to prevent accidental poisoning with prescriptions and chemicals.

What should you do if your child comes in contact with poison? Well, the answer is simple. Don’t wait! Contact the toll-free, 24/7, nationwide Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. This number will connect you to your local poison center. If the person is not breathing, immediately call 9-1-1. When talking to the poison expert remember to use the emergency checklist to guide yourself through the process.

Remember:

• Don’t panic! Not all contact with poison is poisoning.
• Call 1-800-222-1222. Don’t wait for signs of poisoning.
• Follow the advice the Poison Help line gives you.

Visit the Poison Help website to learn more about poison prevention and activities you can do during Poison Prevention Week.