An estimated 2,000 parents, siblings and friends of people affected by autism rallied at Towson University for the 2nd Annual Walk for Autism Research Sunday afternoon.
They came together to raise money for research, offer emotional support, connect to resources ? and hopefully bring a burgeoning problem into public view.
The number of children diagnosed with autism ? three-quarters of whom are boys ? has leapt by 172 percent over the past 10 years, according to the Autism Society of America.
Today, autism affects 1.5 million people and is the fastest-growing disability in the United States. Autism now occurs in 1 out of every 166 births. Twenty years ago, autism was detected in 1 of every 20,000 births.
Melinda and Will Elliott, both Reisterstown pediatricians, took part and walked with their son Brian, 12, who has autism.
“I don?t know why this has been so late getting recognition,” said Melinda Elliott. “That?s why we?re here: to get this on the radar screen.”
“I graduated from medical school in 1977, and it wasn?t anything like it is today,” Will Elliott said. “We?re seeing kids now continually with autism. We?re not in neurology, but it used to be extremely rare for us to see it.”
Disc jockey Steven “Stash” Smith, of 98 Rock, hosted theevent.
“My 8-year old, Jesse, has autism,” said Smith, who also has three other children. “He?s never been able to say, ?Dad, I want to go to a ballgame,? or ?Dad, I love you,? but he?s wonderful. We need to get the word out, train and encourage people who are capable of helping kids like Jesse, and we need to raise money for research.”
The exact cause of autism is still unknown, but the neurobiological disorder is part of a group known as Autism Spectrum Disorders. It impairs a person?s ability to communicate and relate to others. It?s also associated with repetitive behaviors. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Autism was first identified in 1943 by Dr. Leo Kanner of Johns Hopkins Hospital.
“Early detection is crucial,” said Christine Accardo, program director at The Shafer Center, an autism treatment organization in Reisterstown. “Speech and language, gross and fine motor skills, behavior, and self-sufficiency and social skills are all issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible.”
Some theories place the blame on mercury-preserved vaccinations and other environmental factors. Most believe several factors, including a genetic predisposition, come into play.
“It can?t just be genetics, though,” Will Elliott said. “Genetics can?t cause an epidemic.”
