A CDC report released this week shows an increase in autism rates nationwide reflects what experts are seeing here in Minnesota as well.
The Minnesota Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network says prevalence rates are 1 in 28 in the state compared to 1 in 31 nationally.
Dr. Amy Esler tells the WCCO Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar that increased awareness and better screening play a significant role in rising rates.
"Since we started tracking autism in the year 2000, there have been updates to the diagnosis of autism and it's been broadened to include a wider range of children, and children who have fewer support needs and fewer impairments," Esler explains.
Dr. Jennifer Hall-Lande adds that the better data they have, the better they can serve children and their families and increased awareness and better screening in the state helps allocate resources to families and children quicker.
"It's also equally important that we understand how we serve children and families better," Hall-Lande says. "How do we get to kids earlier and provide them the early intervention and services that they need? Our role is to continue to provide accurate trusted data so we can support families and communities in meaningful ways. And that we'll continue to do."
Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday warned that children in the U.S. are being diagnosed with autism at an “alarming rate,” promising to conduct exhaustive studies to identify any environmental factors that may cause the developmental disorder.
“Autism destroys families," Kennedy said. "More importantly, it destroys our greatest resource, which is our children. These are children who should not be suffering like this.”
Kennedy described autism as a “preventable disease,” although researchers and scientists have identified genetic factors that are associated with it.
Autism is not considered a disease, but a complex disorder that affects the brain. Cases range widely in severity, with symptoms that can include delays in language, learning, and social or emotional skills. Some autistic traits can go unnoticed well into adulthood.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.