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A26 U.S. NEWS
Friday 27 March 2020
Autism diagnosis more common in the U.S. as racial gap closes

By MIKE STOBBE Now, the there is no differ-
AP Medical Writer ence between white and
NEW YORK (AP) — Autism black children by age 8,
has grown slightly more though black kids continue
common in the U.S., but a to get diagnosed at older
gap in diagnosis of white ages than white children,
and black kids has disap- the CDC report said.
peared, according to a That indicates there's still a
government report re- problem, said Alison Singer,
leased Thursday. president of the Autism Sci-
Closure of that gap — ence Foundation.
thanks to increased screen- "The earlier children are
ing — is the main reason identified, the sooner they
autism diagnoses are up a can start to receive servic-
little, some experts said. es" like speech and occu-
About 1 in 54 U.S. children pational therapies, Singer
were identified as having said.
autism in 2016, according Also, the gap between
to the new report from the white and Hispanic kids
Centers for Disease Con- hasn't disappeared,
trol and Prevention. That's though it also is shrinking.
up from 1 in 59 children in While the diagnosis gap is
2014, and from 1 in 68 in In this Monday, Oct. 24, 2016 file photo, Megan Krail helps a 4-year-old boy with Autism narrowing, it's not clear that
both 2010 and 2012. Spectrum Disorder practice trick-or-treating at The University of Texas at Dallas' Callier Center for minority kids are getting the
The new report is based Communication Disorders preschool class in Dallas. same access to services
on a tracking system in Associated Press and treatment, said Mi-
11 states that focuses on differing estimates of how havior. Traditionally, it was For decades, white chil- chael Yudell, a Drexel Uni-
8-year-olds, because most common autism is. But ex- diagnosed only in kids with dren were diagnosed with versity public health profes-
cases are diagnosed by perts say this CDC system is severe language and so- autism far more often than sor who is writing a book on
that age. The researchers the most rigorous, and the cial impairments and un- black kids. Non-whites were the history of autism.
check health and school results are considered to be usual repetitious behaviors. more likely to be diagnosed "As these (autism preva-
records to see which chil- the gold standard. But the definition gradually with something else, like at- lence) numbers increase,
dren meet criteria for au- There are no blood or bio- expanded, and autism is tention deficit hyperactivity we need to increase the
tism, even if they haven't logical tests for autism. It's now shorthand for a group disorder or even just bad resources," such as spe-
been formally diagnosed. identified by making judg- of milder, related condi- behavior, researchers have cial education funding, he
Researchers have made ments about a child's be- tions, too. said. said.q

Dreaming of lottery riches? Virus could cut jackpots

By SCOTT McFETRIDGE discussions about potential
Associated Press changes to address the
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — slowdown in sales during
Hoping to escape all the the current health crisis,"
coronavirus-caused eco- said Gordon Medenica,
nomic uncertainty by win- who heads the Maryland
ning a giant lottery jack- lottery and is director of the
pot? national game.
Think again. Those jackpots Medenica notes, howev-
are going to shrink as the er, that Mega Millions has
pandemic tamps down lot- a minimum increase of $5
tery sales. million after each draw-
The group that oversees ing so is in better position
the Powerball game an- to weather the decreased
nounced Wednesday night sales.
that it would cut minimum For most people, the coro-
jackpots in half, from $40 navirus causes mild or mod-
million to $20 million, after erate symptoms, such as
there is a winner of the cur- fever and cough that clear
rent big prize. The jackpot up in two to three weeks.
also could grow more slow- For some, especially older
ly, with minimum increases adults and people with
of $2 million instead of the existing health problems, it
normal $10 million after In this Jan. 6, 2018 file photo, a Powerball lottery sign displays the lottery prizes at a convenience can cause more severe ill-
each twice-weekly draw- store in Chicago. Associated Press ness, including pneumonia,
ing. or death.
"Powerball players in many fected normal consumer enterprises around the The other national lottery The move by Powerball
U.S. lottery jurisdictions behaviors," said Gregory world that are making ad- game in the United States, won't affect the current
are under shelter-in-place Mineo, the director of the justments, we are making Mega Millions, is consider- $160 million jackpot, which
orders or recommenda- Maine lottery and chair- proactive changes to con- ing a similar move. will continue to rise by at
tions from their governors man of the Powerball Prod- tinue to offer the world's "The Mega Millions Con- least $10 million until there is
or mayors, which have af- uct Group. "Just like other premier lottery product." sortium has begun internal a winner.q