US Autism Rates For School-Age Children Rise to 1 in 50Dylan Charles Defining autism can be difficult for both parents and health workers. The data in this recent study looks at parent reported cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The CDC defines Autism Spectrum Disorder as: Obscured somewhat in the reporting of this data is whether or not autism itself is actually on the rise. According to the CDC, in 2000 autism rates for children were 1 in 150. Since then, the nation has seen a frightening increase in the number of youth affected, and the impact on families and schools has been staggering. The causes of ASD are still not clearly identified. More research is demonstrating that food quality may be an important issue, and things like high-fructose corn syrup growing highly suspect. The CDC cites several potential factors that may possibly contribute to this epidemic, including genetic, environmental and biological factors, while also mentioning the controversy over childhood vaccines. The case against vaccines continues to grow and is clearly worthy of more direct attention than the CDC seems to be giving it. All the while, more and more parents and activists are challenging an ever-increasing schedule of childhood vaccines, and public awareness of this issue continues to rise. Sources: Dylan Charles is a student and teacher of Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Qi Gong, a practitioner of Yoga and Taoist esoteric arts, and an activist and idealist passionately engaged in the struggle for a more sustainable and just world for future generations. He is the editor of WakingTimes.com, the proprietor ofOffgridOutpost.com, a grateful father and a man who seeks to enlighten others with the power of inspiring information and action. His remarkable journey of self-transformation is a testament to the power of the will and the persistence of the human spirit. He may be contacted at wakingtimes@gmail.com. 