Statistics About Autism, ADHD, Asthma, Allergies and More

Millions of American children live with diagnosed chronic illnesses.  Here are some of the statistics about autism, ADHD, asthma, allergies and more:
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  • Asthma: At least 1 in 8 children, and approximately 1 in 6 African American children
  • Allergic Eczema: 1 in 5 children
  • Hay Fever (seasonal allergies): 2 to 3 out of every 5 children
  • Food Allergies: 1 in 12 children under 4 years of age have a “true” food allergy (IgE mediated).  It is estimated that 1 in 3 children (or more) have food intolerances (are sensitive to particular foods)
  • Celiac Disease: 1 in 80 children
  • Obesity: 1 in 7 children

Millions of American children struggle with “psychiatric” disorders, developmental delays and learning disabilities:

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  • Autism: 1 in 31 boys  (1 in 50 children)
  • ADHD: 1 in 10 children
  • Learning Disability: 1 in 6 children
  • Severe Mood Dysregulation (e.g., bipolar disorder): 1 in 30 children
  • Dyspraxia (Impaired coordination and motor skills):  1 in 10 children
  • Pediatric Depression: 1 in 30 children
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: 1 in 100 children

For every child diagnosed with a chronic illness, there are many more undiagnosed children.

There are millions of children with undiagnosed chronic illness.
Many American children are not diagnosed with a particular disease or disorder, but they still show signs of being chronically ill.

Here are just a few signs that a child might be chronically ill:

  • Chronic ear infections (more than 2 a year)
  • Chronic sinus infections (more than 2 a year)
  • Chronic diarrhea or loose stools
  • Chronic constipation (does not have a bowel movement everyday or at least every other day; passes hard €œpellet€ stools, difficulty or straining with a bowel movement)
  • Constant runny nose
  • Reflux, abdominal pains, or other signs of gastrointestinal distress
  • Sensory disorders (i.e., aversions to sights, sounds, smells)
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Obsessive or compulsive type behaviors
  • Persistent skin rashes (eczema, psoriasis, cradle cap, rashes after eating)
  • And many, many more . . .

The most stunning part of this epidemic is that all these seemingly disparate illnesses and disorders may all have the same underlying causes.

What is happening to our children?