From Rick Rollens:

 

With no changes in the diagnostic criteria for many years, and in a system that has been ascertaining autism since 1970, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) recently released the following data on the number of new cases of fully diagnosed DSM IV (Level One) AUTISM (NOT including other autism spectrum disorder such as PDD, NOS, or Asperger's, or other rare "autism like" genetic diseases):

 

1. An all time one year (1970-2001) record number of cases (2,725) were added to California's system in 2001. This number represents a 20% increase in one year over the previous record year of 2000. The just completed 4th Quarter of 2001 (Oct. 4, 2001 to Jan. 3, 2002) also set an all time record for numbers of new cases for any 4th Quarter in the history of the system. During 2001, each of the four quarters posted all time record setting increases. THERE WERE MORE CASES OF LEVEL ONE AUTISM ADDED IN 2001 THEN IN ALL OF 1994, 1995, AND 1996 COMBINED.

 

2. In 2001, for the first time ever in California's history, level one autism became the number one disability entering California's system...accounting for an astonishing 35% of all new intakes in 2001. A percentage that has exploded from historic levels of 3%. AUTISM HAS SURPASSED MENTAL RETARDATION, CEREBRAL PALSY, EPILEPSY, AND ALL OTHER CONDITIONS SIMILAR TO MENTAL RETARDATION AS THE NUMBER ONE DISABILITY ENTERING

CALIFORNIA'S DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES SYSTEM.

 

3. California now has 16, 802 persons with level one autism in it's system. IT TOOK 25 YEARS (1970-1995) TO ADD 6,527 CASES. UNBELIEVABLY, IT HAS TAKEN ONLY 3 YEARS (1999-2001) TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL 6,596 NEW CASES. SIMPLY PUT, WHAT USE TO TAKE 25 YEARS NOW TAKES THREE.

 

 4. According to DDS, of the 16,802 persons with level one autism in it's system: 82% are male, 56% have NO mental retardation, and 80% were born after 1980...  the beginning of the autism epidemic. AMAZINGLY, OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS IN THE SYSTEM (16,802).... 11,104 OR TWO OUT OF EVERY THREE PERSONS (66%) ARE CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGE 0 TO 13 YEARS OLD.

 

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.