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The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM Network) is a group of organizations throughout the United States funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The purpose of the ADDM Network is to gather data pertaining to the number of citizens affected by some form of autism. All too often parents of children from birth to three years of age are given a diagnosis that will change their lives and dreams. For some it will be a lifelong journey of challenges they will joyfully bear. For other's the costs and needs of the child may become more than their parents can handle at home. It is always to some degree disheartening, and for the person with a form of autism it will be a lifelong challenge they will never get away from.

Autism is not a single disorder, but rather a group of disorders. Every year children are affected by some form of this potentially devastating and life altering condition. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) cause developmental delays and impairments that hinder the affected person from being able to easily communicate or fit into society. The spectrum of ASDs varies widely. Not all people with a diagnosis of autism are noticeably dysfunctional. Some people affected may display some unusual behaviors such as repetitive finger tapping and rocking along with social discomfort. More severe forms of the disorder suffer learning and physical delays. Someone living with autism may also suffer from other disorders such as depression or mental retardation. All forms of autism are disorders of the central nervous system.

With a minimal understanding of what autism is; defining what it is not presents a more difficult challenge. I worked with many persons with autism when I worked as a caregiver for institutions that serve people with special needs. Determining that any one behavior or disability is solely caused by autism is nearly impossible. The causes of autism have not been completely determined.

These factors make the mission of the ADDM Network even more vital. Keeping an accurate census and other data for such a broad number of disorders and people diagnosed with an ASD gives the CDC, other government agencies, foundations, doctors and parents the ability to determine the needs and costs of those affected.

There is no single socioeconomic group or race that is more affected than another. There is no cure, but there is training and treatment. Without the data that allows for these interventions, people with ASDs would continue to fall between the cracks and live hidden from or on the flimsy edges of our social structures.

The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network have a mission statement and goals that include: providing baseline data, describing the number of children diagnosed with an ASD, keeping comparative data between areas of the country, identify increases and decreases of ASDs over time, and understanding the affect ASDs have on communities within the U.S. There are currently 10 ADDM Network sites throughout the United States as well as the CDC headquarters that keep track of information pertaining to Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Please refer to the CDC home page for links to more in depth and current statement of the mission and goals of the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network and its participating state agencies.

http://www.cdc.gov

Learn more about this author, Glenda K. Fralin.
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