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South Korea Town has Highest Autism Rate Ever

Researchers say nearly 3% of kids in Seoul suburb have disease

By Tim Karan, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 8, 2011 4:09 PM CDT

(Newser) – Researchers have discovered the highest rate of autism ever found in a general population within a suburb of Seoul, South Korea. About 2.6% of the children in Ilsan have some form of the disease, reports the Los Angeles Times. That contrasts with the 1% figure found in the US and Europe, but researchers say that their six-year study was simply more thorough than most and that they would likely find similar rates elsewhere.

About two-thirds of the children diagnosed had milder varieties of autism such as Asperger's, according to the study in the American Journal of Psychiatry. The finding came as a jolt to many parents in the middle-class town, where only severe forms of the disease had been previously recognized. "It was so shocking," says one mother. "I felt huge guilt, which is natural for a parent, then pain and hopelessness."

A recent study revealed one South Korea town has the highest autism rate ever recorded. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man)

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Showing 2 of 3 comments

fancygapva

Jun 8, 2011 8:41 PM CDT

It's too bad the parents felt so much guilt and hopelessness. Milder forms of autism have resulted in such people as Einstein and probably Stephen Hawking. Extreme ADHD, Obsessive-compulsive disorder and even just shyness coupled with some other mild symptoms can be diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. There are some early therapies that can be helpful but some children just grow up and are different. They may also have strengths that can more than make up for their differentness.

Jojo

Jun 8, 2011 4:55 PM CDT

It's fucking cell phones, been saying it for 10 years. The signals they send are frying the brains of kids that don't have bodies that can handle it.

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South Korea Town has Highest Autism Rate Ever

Researchers say nearly 3% of kids in Seoul suburb have disease

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South Korea • Seoul • autism • Asperger's Syndrome

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