Research on the Local Front Confirms That Autism is on the Rise Here As Well
NEW UNLV STUDY SUGGESTS AUTISM ON THE RISE IN NEVADA SCHOOLS
AUTISM PREVALENCE INCREASES NEARLY TENFOLD DURING PAST DECADE
The administrative prevalence of autism in Nevada schools increased from an average of one in 3,750 students in 1995 to one in 422 in 2004, according to new research conducted by UNLV’s Department of Political Science and School of Public Health. It is the first comprehensive study of its kind in Nevada.
The UNLV study defines administrative prevalence as the number of children ages 6-17 (as a share of total enrolled student population in grades 1-12) who were diagnosed by school authorities as having autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and who receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The data was collected from all 17 school districts in Nevada for years 1995-2005. UNLV researchers found that the administrative prevalence increased in 15 of those 17 school districts, with only the Esmeralda School District–which enrolls fewer than 80 students–reporting no prevalence during the study period.
John Tuman, UNLV political science professor and lead investigator of the project, says that although his research shows autism prevalence has increased significantly, funding for autism and ASD has not. In fact, for fiscal year 2007-08, the federal funding for all special education programs in Nevada has been cut.
Tuman hopes his research will not only provide greater understanding about ASD disorders but also help correct the discrepancy between the increasing prevalence and public policy. (…)
I got my Master’s UNLV and Aspie Mom is currently a Ph.D. student there. As you can see, this is more about trying to get the State Legislature to step up to the increased need in our public schools. Good luck on that.
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