Increasing child autism four times higher among boys   

兒童孤獨癥發病率上升 男女發病比例5:1(圖)

Children with ASD learn how to make ceramic handicrafts at an autistic family support center in Beijing [Photo: Beijing News]

(ECNS) -- More children are suffering from various mental problems, with a particular increase in autism, according to a report issued by the Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

One out of less than 50 boys in developed countries suffers from autism while the morbidity of boys is four to five times higher than that of girls, Beijing News reported on Tuesday, quoting Jin Feng, an institute researcher.

Huang Jianjun, a hospital expert in mental health education for kids, said boys are more likely to develop autism, in his experience.

The gender difference may depend on genes; girls have an advantage in terms of language capabilities since they learn how to speak earlier than boys, Huang explained.

Family education might be another reason, it was added, as girls may be closer to their parents when learning how to talk, while education for boys focuses on developing their courage and energy.

A change in social environment is another factor, Huang noted.

One fact that has been neglected is that the number of families in which both parents come under a lot of work strain and have to leave their children in the care of babysitters or relatives is increasing.

Besides, the popularity of cell phones, tablet PCs and the Internet has, to some degree, meant these devices have replaced human-to-human communication, which might also have an effect on the mental growth of children, Huang stressed.

Such sesults are smiliar to findings at US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which state that one out of 88 eight-year-old children has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It adds that morbidity of ASD has risen to less than one percent from 0.01 percent 15 years ago, an increase rate of over 100.