World Autism Day

CDC: Rate of Autism spectrum disorder on rise

The number of children identified as having an autism spectrum disorder in the US is soaring, with roughly 1 in 88 being found to have this condition, according to a study released Thursday by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today, Boston.com will host a live chat from noon to 1 p.m., with Karen Weintraub, a freelance Health/Science journalist, and author of the just published book "The Autism Revolution" with Dr. Martha Herbert.

We are also rounding up photos, tweets, and recent news about Autism throughout the day. If you are on Twitter and want to follow along, use the tag #AutismBos to follow our coverage all day.

Rising rates of autism: Advice for parents (Daily Dose, Boston.com)
The Autism label controversy (Child in Mind, Boston.com)
What is Autism? (Health encyclopedia)

by Boston Health News via twitter 3/30/2012 6:35:48 PM

#FF to @kweintraub who will be doing a twitter chat on Monday at noon with us about #autism, stay tuned for link
by Boston Health News via twitter 3/30/2012 6:54:12 PM

On Monday we will host a live chat from noon to 1pm to take your Autism questions. Use the #AutismBos tag or leave... t.co
by Boston Health News via twitter 3/30/2012 7:08:58 PM

RT @ChildrensBoston: New reports find a rising rate of #autism. @debkotz2 provides advice for parents with insight from Dr. Barbaresi ht ...
by AdrienneLB via twitter 3/30/2012 7:19:33 PM

RT @autismspeaks: RT @MamarazziLife: Starting April 1 @stelladot helps raise $ for @autismspeaks twitter.com #autismbos
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 11:54:20 AM

Ask your questions about #Autism today at noon using #AutismBos tag or by going here: bit.ly
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 12:18:11 PM

Science, medicine are catching up with parents’ understanding of the condition... Autism is not just a brain problem. t.co
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 12:18:21 PM

RT @HarvardHealth: @BeWellBoston: live webchat on #autism t.co on Mon 4/2 noon-1:00 pm with Autism Revolution co-author Karen Weintraub
by autismspeaks via twitter 4/2/2012 12:19:13 PM

HAPPY WORLD #AUTISM AWARENESS DAY!! Take the time to celebrate those affted by lighting it up blue! #liub t.co
Elizabeth Comeau, Boston.com 4/2/2012 12:22:16 PM

The Sydney Opera House is illuminated with blue light as part of the Autism Speaks Light It Up Blue Campaign on April 2, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images for Autism Speaks)
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 12:25:16 PM

Battles over #autism treatment in France continue: t.co
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 12:25:22 PM

Kids on #autism spectrum have 6 likely paths, Pediatrics study sez. 10% get substantially better - mostly those with white, educated moms.
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 12:47:29 PM

@JonahLehrer on the upside of #autism and intellectual diversity. t.co MT @briandavidearp, @thebrowser
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 12:48:34 PM

Join @kweintraub for a chat about #autism at noon, use tag #AutismBos to ask question or go here
bit.ly
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 12:55:28 PM

RT @BeWellBoston: Join @kweintraub for a chat about #autism at noon, use tag #AutismBos to ask question or go here
bit.ly
by coolmomtech via twitter 4/2/2012 2:27:02 PM

5 excellent Autism blogs in honor of #WAAD. Why aren't you reading them? t.co
by HarvardHlthBks via twitter 4/2/2012 2:42:50 PM

Join us for a live chat at noon with @kweintraub co-author of the @harvardhealth book THE AUTISM REVOLUTION: ow.ly #autismbos
by USATODAYhealth via twitter 4/2/2012 3:03:02 PM

Study: Autistic children can improve t.co
by CathCornellMD via twitter 4/2/2012 3:05:25 PM

@kweintraub Loved your coverage in USA today and will follow the #AutismBos live chat
by Holly Robinson Peete via twitter 4/2/2012 3:13:37 PM

Me and hubby pulled the switch to light up Aspen Mtn BLUE last night for #autismawareness t.co #autismawarenessmonth #WAAD
Elizabeth Comeau, Boston.com 4/2/2012 3:29:43 PM

Clothing designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife, Dee Hilfiger, visit the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York after ringing the opening bell, Monday, April 2, 2012, honoring the fifth anniversary of World Autism Awareness Day. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 3:35:39 PM

Please join us for an #Autismbos chat at noon bit.ly Use #autismbos tag
by hgse via twitter 4/2/2012 3:40:44 PM

No, our website hasn't been hacked. We've gone blue today to support World #Autism Awareness Day. @LightItUpBlue t.co
by WebMD via twitter 4/2/2012 3:41:07 PM

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. Here are 24 facts about #autism. Share one with someone you know. t.co #WAAD
by WebMD via twitter 4/2/2012 3:41:35 PM

Kids with #autism have difficulty recognizing emotions. FaceSay computer program teaches reading facial cues @UABnews t.co
by MGHAcademy via twitter 4/2/2012 3:42:24 PM

April is Natl #Autism Awareness Month - t.co - Do u treat #kids w/ autism, or advocate/volunteer? Share ur stories!
Disney_ParisEN 4/2/2012 3:48:03 PM

World #Autism Awareness Day: 400 children spent the day at #Disneyland Paris #solidarityday t.co
Elizabeth Comeau, Boston.com 4/2/2012 3:56:03 PM

Great Buddha of Hyogo is illuminated in blue light to mark World Austin Awareness Day on April 2,2012 in Kobe, Japan. Around 2,000 iconic buildings and landmarks around the world are shining a blue light during the Autism Speaks third annual Light It Up Blue Campaign to show support of Autism Awareness Day and Month, raising awareness of autism. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images for Autism Speaks)
Elizabeth Comeau, Boston.com 4/2/2012 3:58:21 PM

Welcome, everyone. Feel free to post a question here, by typing in the comment box above, or you can follow the chat using #autismbos tag on Twitter
stellahklee 4/2/2012 3:59:10 PM

My @Springfree coworkers all dressed in #blue in support of World #Autism Awareness Day! #WAAD @springfreetr t.co
by SensoryStoreCan via twitter 4/2/2012 4:01:40 PM

For World #Autism Awareness Day today I decided to interview an expert in autism...my son Jacob. t.co
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 4:02:15 PM

New study finds that 10 percent of kids with autism “bloom” from “low-functioning” to high. pediatrics.aappublications.org #autismbos
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 4:04:49 PM

Children who start as "high functioning" tend to improve more rapidly over time. pediatrics.aappublications.org #autismbos
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 4:04:55 PM

@kweintraub is #autism getting easier to diagnose, or do more children have it? #autismbos
by AdrienneLB via twitter 4/2/2012 4:04:56 PM

In honor of World Autism Day please join us for an #autism chat @ noon w/ @kweintraub bit.ly #autismbos
by BostonDotCom via twitter 4/2/2012 4:04:58 PM

In honor of World Autism Day please join us for an #autism chat @ noon w/ @kweintraub bit.ly #autismbos
by Boston_Moms via twitter 4/2/2012 4:05:00 PM

In honor of World Autism Day please join us for an #autism chat @ noon w/ @kweintraub bit.ly #autismbos
by BostonDotCom via twitter 4/2/2012 4:06:16 PM

.@kweintraub national stats now 1 in 88 kids w/ autism; do you know of regional statistics? #autismbos cc @drClaire
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 4:06:40 PM

@kweintraub can you talk about some warning signs parents should watch for? #autismbos
by CathCornellMD via twitter 4/2/2012 4:07:00 PM

#autismbos how many of the 1 in 88 will need significant support as adults?
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 4:08:44 PM

@BostonDotCom @drClaire The CDC's numbers are based on 14 sites around the country, but don't include Mass. #autismbos
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 4:09:32 PM

@BeWellBoston Biggest early warning sign: Toddler who doesn't follow with his/her eyes when someone points. #autismbos
by BostonDotCom via twitter 4/2/2012 4:10:44 PM

@drClaire @thrivechildrens @ChildrensBoston Pls join our twitter chat in honor of World Autism Day bit.ly #autismbos
by Boston Health News via twitter 4/2/2012 4:11:12 PM

@kweintraub where should parents start when children first diganosed? Primary care? Orgs? #autismbos
by kweintraub via twitter 4/2/2012 4:11:22 PM

@CathCornellMD Unclear how many of 1 in 88 will need lifelong support. Research suggests as many as 1 in 4 lose autism diagnosis. #autismbos
by BostonDotCom via twitter 4/2/2012 4:11:33 PM

@autismspeaks @AANE09 @MassAdvocates Pls join our twitter chat in honor of World Autism Day #autismbos bit.ly