The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61818

Catherine E Rice, PhD¹, Marshalyn Yeargin-Allsopp, MD², Kim Van Naarden Braun, MPH², and Nancy Doernberg¹. (1) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 Clifton Rd, MS E-86, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-498-3847, crice@cdc.gov, (2) National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE MS F-15, Atlanta, GA 30341

The autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a complex set of developmental disorders characterized by unusual social interaction, communication, and/or behaviors and interests. Despite great concern about rising rates of individuals with an ASD, efforts to establish ongoing surveillance systems to monitor rates of ASDs have been a recent endeavor. Epidemiologic studies from the 1980s and earlier report rates of 0.4-0.5 per 1,000 children with an ASD and 0.2 per 1,000 for autistic disorder. More recent estimates of ASD prevalence are as high as 2-6 per 1,000. During the last decade, service providers have reported significant increases in the number of individuals in receiving services for ASDs. However, interpretation of trends and rates is difficult due to changing diagnostic criteria, increased awareness, changes in use of diagnostic and eligibility categories, and examination of different populations using different methods. This presentation reviews the current network of programs funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to conduct population-based surveillance or the ASDs and other developmental disabilities, such as Mental Retardation (MR) in the United States. Data from these surveillance systems will enable a more comprehensive understanding of ASDs in terms of trends in rates and features of the disorders. In addition, these surveillance systems provide important sources for further research on the risk factors associated with the ASDs.

Learning Objectives:

• - To identify critical issues related to the surveillance of the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
• - To increase awareness and interest in ASD and DD surveillance
• - To describe a group of CDC-funded programs for the monitoring of ASDs and DDs
• - To help identify future needs and uses of ASD surveillance data

Keywords: Surveillance, Children With Special Needs

Related Web page: www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dd/ddautism.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.