WBKO News Story Oct. 6, 2009
Study Shows Autism Numbers Up, Some Parents Concerned
A new study is showing some startling numbers -- that one-in-91 children is diagnosed with autism.
Posted: 6:40 PM Oct 6, 2009
Reporter: Daniel Kemp
Email Address: daniel.kemp@wbko.com
Story 0 Comments Font Size: A new study is showing some startling numbers -- that one-in-91 children is diagnosed with autism.
The study released Monday uses data from the federal government's 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.
Those numbers amount to more than one-percent of the U.S. population of children, ages three-to-17.
They're alarming stats to one mother whose son battles autism every day.
"It's not going away. Every year the numbers go up," said Dana Emmitt-Hall, mother of Cameron Hall, who suffers from autism.
Each week, the five-year-old goes to TJ Samson Rehabilitation, where he works on living with autism.
For Dana, new numbers showing a significant increase in the number of children with autism is no surprise.
"When Cameron was diagnosed three years ago, the rate was 1 in 186. Just in the last three years, the rates have doubled," she said.
Therapists work with kids like Cameron every day, focusing on activities others may take for granted.
"They work on social skills and learning to refrain from saying things that might offend other people," said Angela Bass, an occupational therapist who works with Cameron.
Bass says kids living with autism are unique and intelligent, but finding a way to that information is key.
"I think they're very interesting kids. It's just like a puzzle that you just have to try and piece together to try and get to them," Bass said.
Cameron's mother says without more resources, the number of those diagnosed with autism will continue to climb -- something she says health officials just aren't prepared for.
"It's like we're the only ones who truly understand what's going on with our children. We're developing our own coping strategies. We're there to support each other because nobody knows what your journey is like unless you're on the same journey," Emmitt-Hall said.
It's a journey Cameron and his mother will continue to travel raising awareness all along the way.
"The earlier we can reach these children, the better chances their recovery are," Bass said.
Despite the increasing numbers there's still no known cure for autism.
Dana Emmitt-Hall hopes to fight her son's battle with autism with an experimental and costly stem cell procedure next month overseas -- one that's not approved in the US.
A new study is showing some startling numbers -- that one-in-91 children is diagnosed with autism.
Posted: 6:40 PM Oct 6, 2009
Reporter: Daniel Kemp
Email Address: daniel.kemp@wbko.com
Story 0 Comments Font Size: A new study is showing some startling numbers -- that one-in-91 children is diagnosed with autism.
The study released Monday uses data from the federal government's 2007 National Survey of Children's Health.
Those numbers amount to more than one-percent of the U.S. population of children, ages three-to-17.
They're alarming stats to one mother whose son battles autism every day.
"It's not going away. Every year the numbers go up," said Dana Emmitt-Hall, mother of Cameron Hall, who suffers from autism.
Each week, the five-year-old goes to TJ Samson Rehabilitation, where he works on living with autism.
For Dana, new numbers showing a significant increase in the number of children with autism is no surprise.
"When Cameron was diagnosed three years ago, the rate was 1 in 186. Just in the last three years, the rates have doubled," she said.
Therapists work with kids like Cameron every day, focusing on activities others may take for granted.
"They work on social skills and learning to refrain from saying things that might offend other people," said Angela Bass, an occupational therapist who works with Cameron.
Bass says kids living with autism are unique and intelligent, but finding a way to that information is key.
"I think they're very interesting kids. It's just like a puzzle that you just have to try and piece together to try and get to them," Bass said.
Cameron's mother says without more resources, the number of those diagnosed with autism will continue to climb -- something she says health officials just aren't prepared for.
"It's like we're the only ones who truly understand what's going on with our children. We're developing our own coping strategies. We're there to support each other because nobody knows what your journey is like unless you're on the same journey," Emmitt-Hall said.
It's a journey Cameron and his mother will continue to travel raising awareness all along the way.
"The earlier we can reach these children, the better chances their recovery are," Bass said.
Despite the increasing numbers there's still no known cure for autism.
Dana Emmitt-Hall hopes to fight her son's battle with autism with an experimental and costly stem cell procedure next month overseas -- one that's not approved in the US.