Press Releases

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF NEW JERSEY TREATS ONE OF THE HIGHEST VOLUMES OF AUTISTIC PATIENTS IN NJ

Saint Barnabas Health Care System, Livingston, N.J.— After the largest U.S. study of childhood autism recently found that New Jersey had the nation’s highest per-capita prevalence of autism, the State Assembly this month approved legislation to promote early detection, autism research, and the creation of a New Jersey autism registry.

The study found that nationally 1 in 152 children have the disorder, while one in every 94 children in New Jersey has autism. For boys, the rate is one in every 60.

“New Jersey is at the forefront of a troubling trend and these figures should be understood as a public health crisis,” says Vinod Goyal, M.D., neurodevelopmental pediatrician and Director of the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, who treats one of the highest volumes of children with autism in the state. “It is our hope that the approved legislation will further more research into the causes of autism.”

April is National Autism Awareness Month, and this complex disorder prevents children and adolescents from interacting normally with others and affects almost every aspect of social and psychological development. While children with autism share some common signs, autism is a disorder that affects each individual differently and varies in intensity from mild to severe.

Autism, also called autistic disorder, is the result of a neurological disorder that typically appears in early childhood, usually before age 3.

Recognizing Autism Spectrum Disorders
Not until the middle of the twentieth century was there a name for a disorder that can cause disruption in families and challenges for many children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), parents are usually the first to notice unusual behaviors in their child. In some cases, the baby seemed "different" from birth. The first signs of an autism spectrum disorder can also appear in children who seem to have been developing normally.

The following are possible pediatric indicators of Autism Spectrum Disorders according to the NIMH:

• Does not babble, point, or make meaningful gestures by 1 year of age
• Does not speak one word by 16 months
• Does not combine two words by 2 years
• Does not respond to name
• Loses language or social skills
• Poor eye contact
• Doesn't seem to know how to play with toys
• Excessively lines up toys or other objects
• Is attached to one particular toy or object
• Doesn't smile
• At times seems to be hearing impaired

Comprehensive Care for Autism at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Children's Hospital is the state's premier hospital caring for children, with specialized services to treat ill and injured children from newborn to adolescent years. As a hospital devoted only to children, Children's Hospital of New Jersey provides a comprehensive program, through the Division of Child Development and Behavior, designed for children with any abnormality in growth, development or behavior.

The program provides evaluation, diagnostic work-up, treatment and referrals to special services or schools if needed for children with conditions including mental retardation, speech problems, learning disabilities, autism, or attention deficit disorder. Two developmental pediatricians, both board certified in pediatrics and neurodevelopmental disabilities; a pediatric nurse practitioner, nurse coordinator, and a full child evaluation center including social worker and three child psychologists form the core of this department, which is complemented by specialists.

Specialized services of the Division of Child Development and Behavior include:

• Early Intervention Program for infants through 3 year olds who have a high-risk medical condition during infancy, which places them at risk for future growth or developmental problems.
• The Therapeutic Learning Center provides assessment and treatment for children 4 to 11 years of age with behavioral and emotional difficulties.
• Follow up with the child’s school to secure special services that may be available.
• Education and support groups for parents.
• Access to all subspecialties at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey including physical, occupational and speech therapy.

DATE: April 3, 2007

CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations (973) 322-4926

[ top ] [ back to news index ]