Autism Prevalence Now At 1 in 91 Children, 1 in 58 Boys

Oct 20, 2009

Earlier this month, the Maternal & Child Health Bureau of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), US Department of Health and Human Services released a study revealing that 1 in 91 children are currently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study, "The Prevalence of Parent-Reported Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder among Children in the United States, 2007", evaluated data from a national Survey of Children’s Health on children between the ages of 3 and 17. The study showed an even higher incidence of ASD among boys, 1 in 58.

SafeMinds, a US nonprofit calling for a ban on the mercury preservative thimerosal from flu vaccines in pregnant women and young children, states "Even more alarming, for the subset of children between ages 6 and 14 immunized during the 1990’s the prevalence is actually 1 in 71 children with an autism diagnosis. This age group represents children in the U.S. with the highest exposure to thimerosal, the mercury preservative routinely used until CDC, AAP and industry recommended its removal "as soon as possible" from all childhood vaccines.  Despite this recommendation, mercury, one of the most neurotoxic substances on the planet, is still used in most seasonal and H1N1 vaccines."

To find out more on SafeMinds(Sensible Action For Ending Mercury-Induced Neurological Disorders) mission please visit their website.

To read the SafeMinds press release on this topic which contains more information and reference links please visit "Autism Prevalence Now At 1 in 91 Children, 1 in 58 Boys SafeMinds Calls For A Ban on Thimerosal from Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Vaccines In Pregnant Women and Young Children"