The new normal: estimated 1 in 36 8-year olds with autism in the US (and 4- year olds are also catching up)
Autism is no longer a rare condition according to the most recent updates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on rates of autism in 8-year olds, now standing at 1 in 36 children or hovering around 2.7% based on data from 2020. The most recent data adds to previously collected information from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network pointing to a spectacular growth in the numbers of children being diagnosed with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) starting from an estimated 1 in 150 children in 2000 when the initiative began. Alongside, data examining the number of 4-year olds with autism showed a prevalence rate of 1 in 47 or around 2%, again an increase from previous surveys. Various other details were included in the CDC data around decreasing ethnic disparities and subtle changes to the male:female ratio. Collectively, the new data reiterate the need for more educational, social and health services for autistic people alongside greater focus on and funding for looking at the underlying causes of the explosion in numbers of children and young people being diagnosed.
Suicide risk and autism: the data that all need to see.
Suicidality, defined as suicidal ideation, suicide plans, suicide attempts, and death by suicide, is “highly prevalent” in relation to autism according to a new systematic review and meta-analysis of the science on this important topic. Researchers from the UK examined the current peer-reviewed literature, covering almost 50,000 people with autism and “possibly autistic participants”. Aside from the primary findings observing that between a third and a quarter of people with autism may have either thought about suicide, planned it or attempted it, other details also emerged around sex and gender differences in relation to risk. Further research is a priority. This should include preferential screening for conditions with important associations to suicidal behaviors (e.g. depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia) which are already over-represented alongside a diagnosis of autism. Treatment is also indicated; particularly the important role that medicines such as lithium can provide as the archetypal anti-suicidal agent in particular clinical circumstances.
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32561344
The bonds that bind: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
A new study cements the complex, longitudinal relationship between two diagnostic labels: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Researchers from Sweden examined how women diagnosed with ADHD and/ or ASD in childhood fared some 20 years later in terms of the stability of their original diagnoses. Drawing on data from various questionnaires and interviews, researchers concluded that 9 in 10 women still retained their original diagnoses or diagnostic combinations. Importantly, a third of women diagnosed with ADHD in childhood ‘transitioned’ to ASD as their primary diagnosis, with many still retaining their original ADHD diagnosis alongside. Such findings invite further study, not least on whether ADHD might serve as a ‘prodromal’ or ‘gateway’ diagnosis further to the later onset of clinically relevant symptoms meriting an ASD diagnosis. Mention of the word ‘remitted’ in the findings is also of great potential value, suggesting that conditions like ADHD and ASD may not be ‘lifelong’ for everyone. Determining what factors might influence such as trajectory outside of potential misdiagnosis is another important step..
Want to know what influences the mental health of children and teens with autism? Ask them, but maybe also ask their parents too.
With no shortage of views and opinions about all-manner of things related to autism, a recent paper from the United Kingdom (UK) offers an important lesson: talk to parents when it comes to the needs, wants and health of their own children diagnosed with ASD. Talking to around 30 parents of 30 young people with ASD on the topic of mental health and behavioral problems (MHBPs), researchers reported on various factors, some of which “have received little or no research attention to date.” They observed that many parents believed that autistic traits were important issues when it came to MHBPs. Issues such as verbal communication abilities contributed to “angry and aggressive behaviors” and they also highlighted that while siblings can be supportive when raising children with ASD, not everything is so rosy in real-life. This last point is particularly relevant to the idea that siblings will likely become guardians of their autistic brothers/sisters in future. The authors conclude that more needs to be done to bring the huge amount of parental expertise further into autism research and practice.
Immune system issues in autism: methods to treat them
There is a huge bank of scientific evidence to suggest that immune system issues, including inflammation, seem to play an important role in some cases of autism. Such research covers everything from genetics to biochemistry and behavior to comorbidities. The questions remain however: how best to manage and even treat such immune system issues? A recent paper from researchers in Spain provides a few potential hints and tips in their summary of the use of various immunoregulatory and/or anti-inflammatory agents that might show positive effects. Looking at gold- standard experimental trial data (double-blind, placebo-controlled) they concluded that various preparations may be useful not only to treat immune system issues but also affecting the presentation of autism, both core and peripheral symptoms. Several medicines also converged on important areas of immune function relevant to autism, such as suppressing pro-inflammatory mechanisms and acting on autoimmune mediating immune functions. What is clear from the collected data is that more studies are required to inform which subgroups on the autism spectrum are likely to benefit from such interventions.
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