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Follow on Google News | ACT Today! Calls for Nationwide ACTion to Save U.S. Children from Autism EpidemicACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) calls on nation to help save a generation of children the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports as having autism; latest research shows 1 in 88 children has autism.
"With the latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that 1 in 88 children in the United States is currently diagnosed with autism, we can confidently say we have a true epidemic that is impacting a generation of children,” says ACT Today! Executive Director Nancy Alspaugh-Jackson. “ACT Today! cannot shoulder the burden of this epidemic alone. We join other autism organizations in calling for a National Strategy from the federal and state governments and private sector in dealing with this crisis.” The CDC released its latest report this past Thursday, showing autism rates increasing rapidly and re-confirming that autism spectrum disorders are more prevalent than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and pediatric AIDS combined. The largest increases nationwide were among Hispanic and African-American children. The report does not specify if the increases reflect better autism awareness, thereby leading to diagnosis and access to services, or actual increases in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal/nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors. They include Autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder (CDD), Pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. “The process will take time and money,” adds Alspaugh-Jackson. “It will also take teamwork which includes the general public, corporations and businesses, civic groups, churches and religious organizations, as well as schools and youth groups.” To learn how you can help, contact: ACT Today! at info@act-today.org. About ACT Today!: ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and funding to families of children with autism who cannot afford or access the necessary tools their children need to reach their full potential. For more information about ACT Today!, visit: www.act-today.org. End
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