The number of children diagnosed with autism has risen sharply in the past few decades. Just 30 years ago, one in 2,500 kids was identified as autistic; today it's one in 166, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Experts have suggested various possible reasons for this increase, including improved diagnosis and even childhood vaccines, but so far a definitive culprit has been elusive. Now, a new study suggests another possible trigger: television.Researchers at Cornell University examined cable-TV subscription rates in counties in Pennsylvania and California between 1970 and 1990 and found that a rise in subscribers mirrored a rise in autism cases. "We're not saying there's a link between TV watching and autism in all children," says Cornell economist and study coauthor Michael Waldman, PhD. "But excessive TV could possibly trigger autism in susceptible kids, so more research is needed." Since the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no or limited TV for younger kids, parents should exercise caution anyway. Whether TV is a trigger remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: This study adds yet another piece to the perplexing autism puzzle. 

WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFO

If your child has been diagnosed with autism, or if you suspect that your child has symptoms of autism, try the following resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.org/healthtopics/autism.cfm

Autism Society of America www.autism-society.org

Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/actearly