Autism Maps -- Georgia
Between 2000 and 2010 Georgia had dramatic growth in both Autism diagnoses and the Autism ratio in the 3 through 21 age group. This is similar to all other US states except Iowa. However, Georgia was also one of only a few states where Specific Learning Disability (SLD) diagnoses also increased, so in that regard it is unusual. There however declines in the diagnoses of several other condtions which are sometimes related to Autism. In Georgia, the diagnoses of Mental Retardation, Speech/Language Disorder, and Emotional Disturbance all declined significantly. The diagnoses of Developmental Delay and "Other" both increased significantly. So, in Georgia, while it does not appear that SLD diagnoses are being shifted to Autism as seems to be the case in many other states, it does appear at a least possible that Mental Retardation, Speech/Language Disorder and Emotional Disturbance diagnoses are being changed to ASD, Developmental Delay and "Other".
From 2000 to 2010 the Georgia population increased significantly from 8,186,453 to 9,687,653. The population from age 3 through 21 increased from 2,299,430 to 2,655,382. The total for All Disabilites from ages 3 through 21 increased from 171,292 to 177,544. During that time period, Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses increased dramatically from 2,188 to 11,306; Specific Learning Disability Diagnoses (SLD) also increased from 48,835 to 53,310. However, Mental Retardation diagnoses experienced a large decline from 31,575 to 18,120; Speech/Language Disorder diagnoses decreased from 42,736 to 30,562; and Emotional Disturbance diagnoses decreased from 24,614 to 15,977. Developmental Delay diagnoses increased from 3,609 to 18,482 and "Other" diagnoses increased from 13,994 to 25,735.
Source: US Dept. of Education IDEA data (www.ideadata.org)
The animated map above shows the change in the number of diagnosed ASD and Mental Retardation (MR) cases from 2000 through 2010. The points reflect the increase/decrease in diagnoses statewide, but are not indicative of where in the state they occurred.
Click on Georgia or any state in the map below to see Autism and other Disability statistics from 2000 thru 2010 for that state.
|
|
Source: US Dept. of Education IDEA data (www.ideadata.org)
The maps on this website have been created through the use of OpenSource Software including Geoserver, Openlayers, PostgreSQL, PostGIS, ApacheTomcat, Linux (ubuntu). Many thanks to all that have contributed to Open Source Software.