National Autism Association Renews Call For CDC To Declare Autism A National Emergency

Main Category: Autism
Also Included In: Neurology / Neuroscience;  Psychology / Psychiatry;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 10 Feb 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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The National Autism Association (NAA) today is asking again for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to treat the epidemic of autism among children as a national emergency following the release of the agency's latest study claiming a new diagnosis rate of one in 150.

"While it's nice that the CDC has shared these findings with the public, they must move forward with a plan to treat the children suffering with autism now," said NAA board chair Claire Bothwell. "This agency has yet to answer the question, 'Why are so many children sick?' If this were an epidemic of practically any other disease among the children of this country, they would have long since investigated how it could have happened and made earnest attempts to find treatments."

Citing the impossibility of an epidemic occurring as a result of genetics alone, the organization is repeating earlier requests for federally-funded research into relevant environmental triggers, including vaccines and the mercury-containing vaccine preservative thimerosal. "After this latest study, the CDC cannot continue to sweep unpopular factors in this epidemic under the rug, including vaccines and thimerosal. The future of a sizeable portion of an entire generation of children is at risk. Without effective treatments, taxpayers will soon bear the burden of care, estimated at over $3 million per individual," commented Ms. Bothwell.

NAA has been critical of the CDC's research emphasis on counting affected children, rather than addressing causation. With the passage of the Combating Autism Act in December of last year, Congress has called for research into environmental factors including vaccines and their components. "This latest study underscores the need for this type of research to take top priority. Perhaps this time, the CDC's own numbers will finally drive the point home that this is an emergency and should be treated as such," commented Ann Brasher, NAA vice president. "The one in 150 children they counted need research that can help them recover and reach their full potential in life. Time is of the essence."

For more information, visit http://www.nationalautism.org

National Autism Association
http://www.nationalautism.org

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