Difference decreased over three years of study; questions remain about “true” prevalence of autism" said  Dr. Sanne Magnan, Minnesota Commissioner of Health speaking today at a press conference held MDH's energy park office.

Somali children in Minneapolis have been receiving preschool special education services for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from the city’s public schools at higher rates than other children, according to a new study by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

MDH officials emphasized that the study only measured “administrative prevalence” – the rate at which all children aged 3 and 4 in Minneapolis were taking part in school-based preschool programs for ASD. The scope of the study did not include calculations of the “true” population prevalence of ASD – the percentage of all Somali or non-Somali children who have ASD.