New Autism Numbers

The debate continues on whether more kids are getting autism or people are just becoming more aware of the symptoms and getting their kids diagnosed. For several years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said autism impacts 1 in every 150 kids. But the number of kids diagnosed is growing so fast.. that number is now 1 in 110. In a way this is good news. I think most people who are involved in the autism community knew the numbers were higher than reported and this confirmation will give them more of an edge when it comes to funding. Typically, the more people who have a disorder, the more people who fight for those kids to have equal rights and protection.

FROM NBC: This study is from the CDC, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and several other sites. It's being published today in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. - Dr. Catherine Rice of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (CDC) is the lead author. Government health officials are reporting an increase in the prevalence of autism.

The CDC now estimates an average of 1 in 110 children has some form of autism spectrum disorder. The CDC calls the new data a "significant public health concern." Researchers there reviewed medical and school records of 8-year-olds -- because most cases of autism are diagnosed by then. Between 2002 and 2006, the prevalence of autism increased from 1 in 150 children... to 1 in 110.

Lee Grossman - President, Autism Society "When you see such a dramatic increase -- 57% in a four year period -- that shows... I'm trying to conceive of how many kids we've missed during that four-year period."

There was a striking difference in rates between boys and girls. Experts estimate 1 in 315 girls has some form of autism. But for boys -- that number jumps to 1 in 70. Dr. Max Wiznitzer - UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital "This study does not tell us the why, it just tells us what's going on and it identifies a public health issue."

In many cases, someone -- usually a mom or dad -- raised concerns about a child's development by age 2. Some of the red flags: Dr. Max Wiznitzer - UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital "Any child who loses skills, loses language or social skills, a child who's not making good eye contact." But the majority of cases weren't diagnosed by a doctor until around age 4 -- meaning: Lee Grossman - President, Autism Society "They've missed the benefits of early intervention."

No one has been able to pinpoint any one reason for the increase. they say it could be due to better detection and screening, or that cases could truly be rising. These findings are in line with another study released in October that was based on telephone surveys of parents.

This study was based on a review of records. Researchers had a team of clinicians go through the symptoms to confirm a doctor's diagnosis. - The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages pediatricians to screen all children for autism between 18 and 24 months. Autism spectrum disorder includes a wide variety of symptoms - but mainly affects communication and social skills.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Fruit Juice: Good or Bad?

FROM NBC: Fruit juice. Is it a health food or simply soda in disguise? Drop for drop, ounce for ounce -- on the drink aisle, which is healthier -- fruit juice or soda? Betty Powell "If it says fruit juice, that's good! We think, 'Oh, this is nutritional, they've taken care of everything that needs to be handled.'"

Betty Powell learned differently. She simply cut fruit juice out of her diet and so far has lost more than 10 pounds. Is this a good idea? Stephanie Dean, a registered dietician who treats Powell, says be careful what you consume. Stephanie Dean, Dietician "When we want to help people lose weight, we want them to watch their calories. Sometimes it comes from food, sometimes it comes from beverages."

This apple juice has 120 calories. A regular coke - 100, per serving. The juice also has more sugar: 29 grams. The coke 27. Our comparison stacked up with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's data which finds - a cup of fruit juice simply has more calories than a cup of regular Coke or Pepsi. An article in the L.A. Times sparked a nationwide discussion. In the fight against obesity, some experts claim it's time juice lost its wholesome image, but is that fair?"

We contacted the Juice Products Association for a comment. Sarah Wally, manager of Nutrition Communication said: "Fruit juice provides a key source of valuable nutrients, including folate, potassium and vitamin C. Simply discussing 'healthful choices' under the umbrella of caloric density is not scientifically accurate - or fair to consumers." Now -- Betty Powell only eats fruit and she only drinks water. She's learned every calorie -- even the nutritious ones, counts. Betty Powell "Every calorie counts, sugar is sugar."

When it comes to the kids, I still do watered down juice. I have had several older people tell me my my kids should drink more orange juice because it's good for them. I just tell them eating an orange is much healthier. My two-year-old is obsessed with apple juice. I water it down every time I give it to him. I am not sure if my husband/sitter/etc. do the same. I have mentioned to them to do that, but who knows what happens when I am not home. My two-year-old did say to me the other day, "No water mommy, just apple juice." How do you limit juice at your house?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Young People and Sex

FROM GOOD MORNING AMERICA: A revealing new survey of young people talking about their sex lives. It's surprising how much 18-29 year olds *don't* know about sex... and how much of what they think they know is wrong. Dr. Richard Besser has more on the story.

DR. BESSER:"The first thing I want to talk about is the talk. How many of you had a sex talk with your parents at some point?" ( All hands raise)

Chelsea Biemiller, 21 "I remember I was about 13 or 14. And her version of the talk was basically, The first time you have sex, it will hurt. It will be painful. It will be scary. And I want you to promise to come and tell me before you do anything."

O'Niel Anderson, 21 "We've done-- we've had the talk. It's pretty awkward havin' a conversation with your mom, you know?" Agron Kovangji, 20 "I was about 14. And my mom said, "If you have sex, wear a condom." And that was basically--"

DR. BESSER:"That was the talk?" Agron: "Yeah."
DR. BESSER: Did she talk about where you could get condoms, or how you could-- protect yourself? Agron: "Yep. School, hospital, clinics, all that."

Agron's experience may not be the norm -- a recent study by UCLA / Rand Center for Adolescent Health found 70 percent of teen boys reported they had not discussed how to use a condom or other birth control methods. Another forty two percent of teen girls reported that they had not discussed the effectiveness of birth control with their parents.

DR. BESSER:"Why is it that some women who don't want to get pregnant-- have sex without using contraception?

Chelsea Biemiller, 21 "I think it's a lot about the short term. Thinking in the short term of this passionate moment, we can act in this way, without thinking about the long term. That this has very long term possible consequences."

DR. BESSER:"A new study out that shows that while most young adults believe that pregnancy should be planned, not all young adults are using contraception all the time. Does that surprise you?

Lia Glynia, 28 "It doesn't surprise me. I don't think people think about it that way."

Alexis Triado, 29 "sex is glorified. Like in TV, movie, and like music videos. Like you watch Gossip Girl, you know, they're not like, wait, let me put a condom on. And then they-- they just like have sex and it's so romantic and passionate. So, it's not really a message--"

DR. BESSER:"You're not seeing that behavior modeled."

Lia Glynia, 28 "I think so many of us want these movie moments of like, "You complete me or you say the right thing."

Shante Gordon, 32 "Before you even-- you're in that moment. You need to talk about it with your partner. Listen, if we're gonna do this--what are we-- are we gonna use the condom. Are we gonna just rely on the pill? I don't want a child. You don't want a child. Well, then what do we need to do to make sure that we don't have a kid."

Chelsea Biemiller, 21 "I think you would be hard-- hard pressed to find any person in their 20s that hasn't had some kind of sexuality scare. Be it a pregnancy or STDs or something like that. Because you are gonna make mistakes, you really are. You can't be 100 percent perfect every time. So, you really just have to-- just have to take care of yourself."

So what is the right thing to say to your teenager about sex? I guess you almost have to go into detail about how/where to get birth control. I would assume most teens who are having sex or thinking about aren't admitting that to their parents. That will be a tough conversation in my future. And do both parents have the talk or just one? And if I have all boys, does my husband need to be the one who talks? I wonder if that makes a difference.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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Strangulation Danger

FROM CNN: The Consumer Product Safety Commission is recalling up to 50-million Roman shades and roll-up window blinds that pose a danger to children.
Inez Tenenbaum, chairwoman of the C-P-S-C, says consumers that have the window treatments can get kits to fix the problem. "We've had 8 strangulations and 16 near strangulations because children have been entangled in the cords.
Roman shades have the cords behind them and we now have a kit that will make these Roman shades cordless." The roll up shades have a kit that will be offered that will have a break away so that child cannot strangle on the roll up shade.


The blinds are sold at high end retailers like Pottery Barn and discount stores like Walmart.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND MORE PICTURES, CLICK HERE.

We have the faux wood blinds. They do have cords, but they are separated. I would much rather have cordless because my almost 3 year old does try to play with them sometimes. We have the cordless solar shades in the baby's room and the 3-year-old's room just has a curtain. Those cordless shades are around $200! I have so many other things I could spend $200 on! So actually several of our rooms just have curtains. Oh well! What kind of window coverings do you have?

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Not sure what to get your loved ones? Give a Skin Dimensions gift card! Surprise your loved ones with the choice of massages, facials, bareMinerals makeup, manicures, pedicures or let them choose products from a selection of over 25 national and international brands of skincare. Gift cards available in any denomination. Purchase at Skin Dimensions Day Spa, Skin Dimensions Boutique or online.

Kid's Swine Flu Vaccine Recalled

FROM NBC: H1N1 vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pastuer has issued a recall for 800 thousand doses of pediatric vaccine, however they stress it is *not* a safety issue. Sanofi routinely tests its vaccine after it has been distributed to doctors. During one of these tests they found the potency of the vaccine for children six to thirty-five months had dropped below the recommended limit.

Further tests found four lots, or roughly 800 thousand doses, were affected. Most of the vaccine had not been administered. Children who did receive the vaccine do not face any increased health risks -- and are likely still protected from swine flu. A spokesman for Sanofi Pastuer say no action is needed other than returning unused doses. Experts say this should not impact vaccine supply.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Not sure what to get your loved ones? Give a Skin Dimensions gift card! Surprise your loved ones with the choice of massages, facials, bareMinerals makeup, manicures, pedicures or let them choose products from a selection of over 25 national and international brands of skincare. Gift cards available in any denomination. Purchase at Skin Dimensions Day Spa, Skin Dimensions Boutique or online.

Teen Pot Smoking

It looks like more teenagers are smoking pot. The White House released a survey
of about 47,000 eighth, 10th and 12th graders that shows the debate over medical use of marijuana is making the drug's use safer in teens' minds.

Drug czar Gil Kerlikowske says fewer teens are viewing prescription drugs as dangerous and they said the same thing about Ecstasy. Kerlikowske says the survey did show teens are cutting down on smoking cigarettes, binge drinking and meth use. He says this should be a wake up call for parents.

I don't know if anyone had meth in my high school. If they did it was a big secret. I don't even think I heard of Ecstasy until college. It's scary to think we may have never even heard of the drug of choice when our kids are in high school. I hope I am not naive and I address this issue before it becomes a problem or a danger to my kids.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Not sure what to get your loved ones? Give a Skin Dimensions gift card! Surprise your loved ones with the choice of massages, facials, bareMinerals makeup, manicures, pedicures or let them choose products from a selection of over 25 national and international brands of skincare. Gift cards available in any denomination. Purchase at Skin Dimensions Day Spa, Skin Dimensions Boutique or online.

When is a fever too high?

A mom wrote in to Fox News asking when is a child's fever too high?

Dr. Manny said, "A fever is usually a sign that something out of the ordinary is going on with your body. For an adult, a fever is usually uncomfortable, but it isn't dangerous until it reaches 103 degrees or higher. But for young children, a slight fever may indicate an infection. Anything over 100.4 degrees is considered a fever, but when it's higher than 103 degrees beware. If the fever is rising fast, they could have a febrile seizure. They could lose consciousness and have convulsions. Though scary for parents, the vast amount of febrile seizures cause no long term effects. You can give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but always, always talk to you doctor first. Whatever you do,don't give them a cold bath or rub them down with alcohol. That can be shocking to the system. If at any time the fever isn't going down and your child is lethargic, has a rash or starts vomiting, see your doctor."
What is the highest temperature your children have had?
My oldest had a night of 104 degrees. We went to the emergency room and it eventually went down. It was scary.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

Not sure what to get your loved ones? Give a Skin Dimensions gift card! Surprise your loved ones with the choice of massages, facials, bareMinerals makeup, manicures, pedicures or let them choose products from a selection of over 25 national and international brands of skincare. Gift cards available in any denomination. Purchase at Skin Dimensions Day Spa, Skin Dimensions Boutique or online.