Clinic Notes: Developmental Disabilities in Children Are Increasing

According to a recent article in Time Magazine by Meredith Melnick, developmental disorders in children are rising. She draws on a recent study in the journal Pediatrics which found that 15% of children in the U.S. were diagnosed with a developmental disability in 2006-2008 compared to 12.8% in 1997-1999. Autism and ADHD are the disorders showing the biggest increases with autism rates 4 time greater and ADHD going up 33%. The rates in male children were twice that of females. Children from low-income families had higher rates of developmental disabilities. According to the study authors, more preterm births, older parents, less stigma, better screening, more awareness among parents and child-care professionals, are possible explanations. Their study was based on CDC surveys.