Disability rates among American children increased by more than 16% over the past 10 years.
New data that was published recently in the Journal Pediatrics underlines disability rates involving children between 2001 and 2011. Parents were asked to choose from several disabilities involving their children. These disabilities included birth defects and ADHD. The researchers found that the rate increased from 68.7 cases per 1000 children in 2007, to a rate of 79.4 in 2011.
It’s too early to pinpoint a reason for this increase in disability rates involving children. However, it is likely that more children are simply being diagnosed, compared to earlier years. There’s a lot more awareness about psychological conditions involving children, including disorders on the autism spectrum, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and other disorders affecting children. More children are being diagnosed, and therefore, are qualifying as disabled.
The study also found that children from wealthier backgrounds seem to have higher disability rates. Once again, this could have to do with the fact that children from higher-rated backgrounds are much more likely to get the medical attention that their condition requires, and are therefore, more likely to be diagnosed as disabled, compared to children from poor socioeconomic backgrounds.
Overall, there has been a significant increase in mental abilities involving children. The good news is that there has been in an 11% drop in physical disabilities over the past decade. The rates of disability involving conditions like asthma have dropped by approximately 25% over the past 10 years.
Children, who suffer from conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other disorders, may qualify for disability benefits. Call 713-993-7311 to speak with attorney M. Stanley Whitehead, and for help filing a claim, or filing an appeal against your claim denial.
