1. AUTISM ON THE RISE THE IMPORTANCE OF UNDERSTANDING DATA COLLECTION

2. DEFINING AUTISM o Autism is a syndrome, not a disease. o A disease can be linked to biological factors, a syndrome is compiled with several variables and cannot be linked to a specific sequence. o Each variable can differ greatly, and each can have different triggers. o The Autistic Spectrum o Research relies heavily on observation and asking questions. o Research collects qualitative data.

3. 1960 1 in 2,500 (.04%) 2012 1 in 88 (1.14%) 2013 1 in 50 (2%) What an alarming increase…or is it?

4. WHY THE INCREASE? IMMEDIATE INCREASE As of 2013, Asperger’s is no longer a diagnoses. Those who were, or would have been, diagnosed with Asperger’s are now classified on the Autistic Spectrum. The ‘1 in 88’ came from data that only included 8 year old boys. The ‘1 in 50’ included boys and girls ages 6-17. OVERALL INCREASE As we become more familiar with the symptoms, we are more able to clearly diagnose autism. The spectrum has broadened. Different mental illnesses are now placing on the spectrum. Doctors could be giving the diagnoses to ensure services for patients. Early intervention is critical to an individual on the spectrum

5. SIMPSON’S PARADOX When the statistics are given side by side, anyone could be led to believe that there was an alarming increase in autism. When evaluating the information separately, it becomes clear that we are comparing 2 different statistics. demonstrates what kinds of problems result from combining data from several groups

6. Works Cited Soloman, Andrew. Far From the Tree. New York: Scribner, 2012. Print. Johnson, Norah L.; Giarelli, Ellen; Lewis, Celine; Rice, Catherine E. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. Genomics and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Mar2013, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p69-78. 10p. Academic Journal. United States. Forbes. Autism Prevalence is Now 1 in 50. Forbes Magazine, 20 March 2013. Web. July 2013. www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/03/20/autism-prevalence-is-now-at-1- in-50-children www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2013/03/20/autism-prevalence-is-now-at-1- in-50-children United States. Center for Disease Control. Autism Data. Gov, 20 June, 2013. Web. July 2013. www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.htmlwww.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html United States. WebMD. History of Autism. WebMD LLC, 12 May 2013. Web. July 2013. www.webmd.com/brain/autism/history-of-autismwww.webmd.com/brain/autism/history-of-autism