The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just. - Abraham Lincoln
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“Each
person normally has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell. Females have two
X chromosomes, whereas males have one X and one Y chromosome.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_chromosome).
Why does that matter here?
Have you seen the most recent statistics on the prevalence of
Autism?
When we first started our Autism journey about 5 years ago,
it was reported that the risk of having a child with autism about 1 in
150. In 2009, that figure was changed to
1 in 110. Earlier this year the United
States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention changed that figure again.
Today, it is reported that 1 in 88 children in the United States is diagnosed with an Autism
Spectrum Disorder. See this ABC News Story
If that figure was not staggering enough in itself, consider
that there are also regional differences.
In New Jersey, where we reside, the numbers are even more alarming. The CDC statistics show that 1 in 49 children in New Jersey is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
Now back to the Chromosomes. Why does it matter if you have 2 x chromosomes or 1 x chromosome and 1 y chromosome?
You may have heard that boys tend to be diagnosed with
Autism more than girls. Here are the
statistics broken down:
National:
§ 1 in 88
§ Boys: 1 in 54
New
Jersey:
§ 1 in 49
§ Boys: 1 in 29
Wow...this is incredible stuff...I wonder why it is so prevalent in your area? I teach an Exceptional Child class. Would be awesome to have you come speak!! My desire is that my students hear the 'real' stories - not just read the textbooks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!