Autism Alert

Last week, the California Department of Developmental Services reported that there had been an alarming increase in the number of autism cases in the state. In four years, from December 1998 through December 2002, the number of people who received services almost doubled, from 10,360 to 20,377. The statistics didn't include children under three or people who who have less severe forms of autism, such as Asperger syndrome.

Autism is a disorder that strikes boys three to four times more often than girls. People who have it often have trouble communicating, have difficulty in forming social relationships, and engage in repetitive and other obsessive behaviors. Symptoms often appear in early childhood--although sometimes the disorder is not immediately diagnosed--and can range from mild to severe.

It is not known if cases are increasing at a similar rate throughout the country; studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are underway in several states. Dr. Ron Huff, senior psychologist in California's Department of Developmental Services, spoke to NEWSWEEK's Laura Fording about the increase and what's being done in response.

NEWSWEEK: Give us a little more background on your report.

Dr. Ron Huff: We have 21 regional centers that provide services for four types of disabilities--mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy and autism. In the mid '90s, the number of people coming to us with diagnoses of autism seemed to be increasing significantly. The first report we did in 1999 showed about a 273 percent increase in the period between 1987 through 1998. More recently we thought we'd take a look at the number again. This report is not an epidemiologic study. We simply sought to count the actual number of people who are receiving services in our system. It may not be 100 percent of everybody who has this disorder.

The study states that "the increased prevalence of autism in California is valid and is driven by factors beyond improved identification and diagnosis." Can you explain?