Autism Maps -- Massachusetts
Between 2000 and 2010 Massachusetts 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. Also similar to many other states, Massachusetts had a very significant decrease (almost 50%) in Specific Learning Disability (SLD) diagnoses during the same time that ASD diagnoses were increasing. Among other conditions that sometimes have an overlap with Autism -- Mental Retardation declined, Speech/Language Disorder had a small increase, and Emotional Disturbance diagnoses had a very small increase. Developmental Delay and "Other" diagnoses both increased substantially and those diagnoses, along with the ASD diagnoses increase, probably accounts for a significant portion of the decline is SLD diagnoses.
From 2000 to 2010 the Massachusetts population increased from 6,349,097 to 6,547,629. The population from age 3 through 21 decreased slightly from 1,607,165 to 1,601,072. The total for All Disabilites from ages 3 through 21 increased slightly from 162,216 to 167,526. During that decade, Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses experienced a huge increase from 806 to 12,114; Specific Learning Disability Diagnoses (SLD) had a very significant decrease from 95,135 to 52,262; Mental Retardation diagnoses declined from 15,740 to 10,403; Speech/Language Disorder diagnoses increased from 28,323 to 30,746; Emotional Disturbance diagnoses increased slightly from 13,426 to 13,987; Developmental Delay diagnoses increased dramatically from 0 to 18,106; and "Other" diagnoses also increased dramatically from 1,434 to 14,027.
Source: US Dept. of Education IDEA data (www.ideadata.org)
The animated map above shows the change in the number of diagnosed ASD and Specific Learning Disability (SLD) 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 Massachusetts or any state in the map below to see Autism and other Disability statistics from 2000 thru 2010 for that state.
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Source: US Dept. of Education IDEA data (www.ideadata.org)
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