One percent of all US children now have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This new data was released on Friday from the Centers for Disease Control. There is still no concrete data explaining the rise in numbers, but the CDC wants parents to be as proactive in diagnosis as possible.

Studies also show that black children in particular are diagnosed for autism spectrum disorder later than white children because they are often wrongly thought to have mental retardation instead of ASD. Black children, on average, are diagnosed one to two years later than other children.

The CDC has created a comprehensive microsite with pertinent information all parents should read concerning autism spectrum disorder, especially Learn the Signs. Act Early.

On the Net: www.cdc.gov/autism