Dayton survey finds spike in reported development delays

A survey of 600 parents taken by the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton found a 61-percent increase in reports of developmental delays among children in the Dayton area since 2004 (Source: “Area learning disability up by 61 percent,” Springfield News-Sun, July 9, 2008).

"Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the recognition of the autism spectrum and more children are being diagnosed earlier and with milder symptoms," Dr. Eileen Kasten, the hospital's director of developmental pediatrics, said in the report.

Other finding included that 24 percent of children are overweight, down from 31 percent in 2004. One in four children missed school last year because of asthma, down from one in two four year ago. And nearly one in 10 children ages 6 to 14 have not have a dental visit in the past year.