Sen. Clark: Raising Awareness for Autism
State Senator Katherine Clark (D-Melrose) writes about autism and how awareness can be raised in our communities.
Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the prevalence of autism in the United States has risen to 1 in 88 children. The estimated prevalence for boys is approximately 1 in 54, and 1 in 252 for girls. The CDC report confirms that rates of autism – specifically called autism spectrum disorders (or ASDs) – have continued to rise in recent years. As the CDC points out, whatever the reasons for the increase, this is “an important public health concern in the United States, underscoring the need for continued resources to identify potential risk factors and to provide essential supports for persons with ASDs and their families.” The report was timely. Because April is National Autism Awareness Month and …
