A recent study indicates that the rate of school children with autism may be stabilizing. It’s a big change from the steady rise that’s been occurring for the last several years, and it could give schools an opportunity to determine the best way to teach this population of students.
The study, which looked closely at special education classifications for elementary school students in Wisconsin from 2002 to 2008, indicated that autism occurrences appear to be stabilizing at a rate of about 1 percent. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show autism occurring at a similar rate of one out of 110 children nationally. As reported on DisabilityScoop.com, it’s interesting to note that while the number of children with autism grew in Wisconsin schools where few students had the disorder to start, the rate remained largely unchanged in schools with higher prevalence at the beginning of the study. Consequently, by 2008 the rate of students with autism statewide became more equal across school districts.
Dr. John Harrington of Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters in Norfolk, Virginia, was not involved in the study, but he had this to say about it: “If our population-based prevalence rates for autism spectrum disorder are matching our school-based rates, then we can start making education decisions for planning how to teach and transition this large group of students to adulthood and beyond.”
April is Autism Awareness Month.
