Free Republic

The rate of autism in New Jersey has doubled in six years to one in 49 children — and one in 29 boys — an “epidemic increase” in a disorder that has confounded researchers for decades.  Two percent of children in the state are now identified with autism by their eighth birthday. For more information * The report on autism prevalence can be found at the website of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov\autism.* Information on the signs and symptoms of autism, as well as developmental milestones, can be found at cdc.gov\ActEarly.* Autism New Jersey provides support...

NEW JERSEY TAKES LEAD IN CONFRONTING AUTISM Researchers are challenging assumptions about the disorder Sunday, December 29, 2002 BY CAROL ANN CAMPBELL Star-Ledger Staff [New Jersey] -- Catherine Wersinger remembered the day she held a cup of juice in front of her son Peter, then 2 1/2 years old and diagnosed with autism. "Say juice, Peter," she called out. "Juice. See, juice! Juice! Just say, 'juh' 'juh!' Can you say, 'juh'?" Her bright-eyed boy stood stone-faced. He could not say one word. Not mama. Not dada. Not juice. Today Peter is among the first autistic children being treated by a...