While Anna Nicole Smith's death steals frontpage headlines, there's a bigger story that needs to be told. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that autism effects about one in every 150 children born in the U.S. -- that's up from a previous estimate of autism effecting one in every 166 children.
According to a Reuters report, "Two surveys by the agency encompassed 22 states and represented the largest and most comprehensive studies of how many children have autism. "
"Finally, we can end the debate on the prevalence of autism in our nation and focus on getting the services and supports the families need," said Lee Grossman, Chief Executive Officer of the Autism Society of America.
This report raises awareness and prompts two questions:
- How can we fund and what educational resources can we offer the public and children affected by autism?
- People affected by autism have full life expectancies. What resources can we offer the increasing number of adults and seniors affected by autism?