1 in 68…

Have you heard the latest news from the CDC?

“One in 68 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a 30% increase from 1 in 88 two years ago, according to a new report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

According to CNN’s report of the CDC’s latest findings:

“This newest estimate is based on the CDC’s evaluation of health and educational records of all 8-year-old children in 11 states: Alabama, Wisconsin, Colorado, Missouri, Georgia, Arkansas, Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, Utah and New Jersey.

The incidence of autism ranged from a low of 1 in 175 children in Alabama to a high of 1 in 45 in New Jersey, according to the CDC.

Children with autism continue to be overwhelmingly male. According to the new report, the CDC estimates 1 in 42 boys has autism, 4.5 times as many as girls (1 in 189).

The largest increase was seen in children who have average or above-average intellectual ability, according to the CDC. The study found nearly half of children with an autism spectrum disorder have average or above-average intellectual ability — an IQ above 85 — compared with one-third of children a decade ago.”

In other news (shared with me by regular New Forty reader Tim),  The Wall Street Journal reported that a number of major companies are actively recruiting those on the spectrum for their ability to focus more intently on detail and precision.

At Freddie Mac, a representative commented: “Harnessing the unique skills of people on the autism spectrum has the potential to strengthen our business and make us more competitive.”  Major software company SAP  “aims to have up to 1% of its workforce—about 650 people—be employees with autism by 2020, according to Jose Velasco, head of the autism initiative at SAP in the U.S.”

I like that folks are now starting to see the extraordinary in those on the spectrum.  Regular readers know that with two grandchildren on the spectrum I am a fairly definitive view of the spectrum and a theory on why autism is on the rise.  I believe it is our new normal – our evolution.  I have written many a blog on this topic (see here), but my view is most simply summarized in my blog post The new extraordinary… (1-5-2012).

I think the world needs to stop spending so much time focusing on the perceived dis-ability and focus more intently on the ability and ways to nurture it.  When I watch my autistic grandchildren play, concentrate, laugh, or get frustrated I am always trying to better understand ways in which I can better connect to their different, but magical world.  That is my framing for the spectrum – their difference is something to embrace not correct.  To the extent that they may need additional training on dealing with social interactions or interpersonal communication, I need additional training on my ability to focus intently and understand intuitively certain areas of expertise that they naturally possess.  Why is their brilliance considered to be less?  Why are they viewed as anything other than extraordinary.

Visit my blog site -  My Heart is on the Spectrum – or check out the Facebook page of the same name.  I promise you, you have family members, friends, or colleagues who dance somewhere on the spectrum.  I believe we are all on it somewhere.  This is who we are and who we are becoming – look for the beauty and magnificence in the new extraordinary, embrace the spectrum.