An unusual number of Somali children turning up in autism programs in Minneapolis has captured the attention of state and federal health officials, as fears about a possible surge in autism have swept Minnesota's Somali community. Last year, Somali children made up under 6 percent of the school population, but 17 percent of those in early childhood autism programs (14 of 81 children). The numbers have been creeping up for several years, especially among young children. Somali children appear to have a more severe form of the condition. A developmental pediatrician and autism specialist at Children's Hospital estimates that 10 percent of his patients are Somali. "I do think there's something up with this," McLellan said. "I don't know what it is."
Swedish researchers reported this summer that Somali children in Stockholm appeared to have three to four times the rate of autism as other children -- though the study was based on only 17 children. Another Swedish study found high autism rates among African immigrants from Uganda.
child-autism-parent-cafe.com
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Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 03, 2008
NYS Governor Paterson Signed Bill to Update Standards and Guidelines Used to Identify Kids with ASDs
Governor David A. Paterson signed a bill (A.9512-A/S6527-B) this week that will require the Department of Health (DOH) to update the guidelines used by pediatricians to identify children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and refer them for appropriate services.
The bill requires DOH to establish best practice protocols for early screening of children for ASDs by pediatric primary care providers. These protocols would incorporate standards and guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and must include: (1) the routine employment of objective ASD screening tools at regular intervals during critical childhood developmental stages; (2) facilitation of a dialogue between service provider and parents for purposes of educating the parents about ASDs, using a modified checklist for ASDs in toddlers; and (3) an appropriate referral mechanism for children who, based upon results of the screening process, require further evaluation. The bill also requires DOH to make the modified checklist for ASD available to the public on its website. child-autism-parent-cafe.com
Read full Press Release here
The bill requires DOH to establish best practice protocols for early screening of children for ASDs by pediatric primary care providers. These protocols would incorporate standards and guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics and must include: (1) the routine employment of objective ASD screening tools at regular intervals during critical childhood developmental stages; (2) facilitation of a dialogue between service provider and parents for purposes of educating the parents about ASDs, using a modified checklist for ASDs in toddlers; and (3) an appropriate referral mechanism for children who, based upon results of the screening process, require further evaluation. The bill also requires DOH to make the modified checklist for ASD available to the public on its website. child-autism-parent-cafe.com
Read full Press Release here
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