There is an impression that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is rising. Current ASD prevalence work in this country suggests nuclear prevalence rates as ranging from 13.23 to 40.0 and ASD prevalence estimates ranging from 26.66 to 67.45 per 10,000 children aged 3-10 years. While some scholars argue that better case identification has resulted in perceived higher prevalence rates, others suggest that the prevalence of the nuclear disorder remains within the earlier estimates but that the prevalence of the more broadly defined spectrum disorders are, in fact, increasing. Nevertheless, these prevalence debates have kept a spotlight on the disorders and remind us that despite their identification almost 60 years ago, the etiology of autism spectrum disorders remains unknown. Research attempting to identify pre- and peri-natal risk factors for ASDs has produced mixed results. Significant findings from one study have been quickly dismissed as non-significant in another. Recently, Burd (1999) identified five variables that appear to be significant pre- and peri-natal risk factors for autism spectrum disorders. While these risk factors provide some limited insight into the complexity of ASD etiology, the research suggests that continuing to examine the pre-and peri-natal circumstances of pregnancies resulting in an ASD child is a fruitful line of inquiry. To this end, the research undertaken here compares the aggregated survey questionnaire results of 7 birth cohorts (1989-1996) of ASD children with typical children.
Learning Objectives: 1) To understand the complexity of ASD prevalence and etiology; and 2) To learn how to use a combination of available data and newly generated data to attempt to answer etiological questions.
Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Pregnancy Outcomes
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.