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.
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