Friday, 24 March 2023

Are autism diagnoses on the rise in the US?

March 24, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER

This is TODAY

A new report from the CDC reveals that diagnoses of autism in children may be on the rise. And TikTok's CEO did not appear to sway lawmakers after being questioned for hours as Congress weighs a potential U.S. ban of the popular app. Plus, how to know whether it's better for your workout to lift heavier weights or do more repetitions.

The Latest

Autism diagnoses may be on the rise among U.S. kids, new CDC study finds.

A CDC report that looked at data from 11 communities around the country found that 1 in 35 children aged 8 were identified as having autism spectrum disorder, a 22% increase from 2018. A second report also using data from the same monitoring network found that among 4-year-old children, the earlier stages of the pandemic hindered early autism detection. "We can't say if ... the number of people with autism is actually increasing in our country — or that the number of people that are being diagnosed and then have access to services — is increasing," Dr. Karen Remley of the CDC told TODAY.com. See all the findings here, as well as what parents should know.

Support for a TikTok ban grew as lawmakers grilled the app's CEO for hours.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew was grilled by Congress for five hours yesterday about privacy concerns for Americans' data, protections for children online and TikTok's connection to the Chinese Communist Party. Key senators said his testimony did not "assuage" fears about China's influence. His testimony came as the Biden administration considers banning the popular social media app in the U.S. if TikTok's Chinese owners refuse to sell their stakes in it. Critics have argued that the app is a national security threat, while supporters say it's no worse than other apps that collect users' data. Here's the latest.

A hairstylist shares the 5 things they would never do to their own hair.

A celebrity hairstylist who has worked with the likes of Jennifer Aniston and Katie Holmes shared some common mistakes he would never make when it comes to keeping hair healthy and gorgeous. Joseph Maine's 5 tips include staying away from "volumizing" shampoo, avoiding the use of hot tools after hair spray, and making sure not to judge a product by its price. See them all here.

🧴 Need beauty on a budget? These 56 winners from Shop TODAY's Beauty Awards are under $25.

It's possible to still get quality beauty products without breaking the bank, and we have 56 affordable finds for $25 or less to prove it. These products that recently won our Shop TODAY Beauty Awards give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to skin care. Shop our favorite cleansers, moisturizers, serums, sunscreens and more.

Live Better TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

It's a question that often pops up when you start strength training for the first time: Should you lift heavier weights, or do more repetitions of lighter weights to get the most effective workout? TODAY fitness contributor Stephanie Mansour says...well, the answer is both. If your goal is weight loss, both lifting heavier and lifting lighter can help you burn fat and lose weight. It's all about your goals — if you're looking for a sleek and toned look, then more reps with lighter weights is the way to go. But if you love a challenge, heavier weights may be a good choice. Stephanie also has advice on how to know when to increase weight or reps in your workout. Check it out.

What's for dinner?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

End the week by treating yourself to Martha Stewart's light and fluffy fish burger topped with pickled red onions. Martha uses either hake or cod, which she recommends cutting by hand for a light texture. Pop them on a lightly toasted brioche bun brushed with a mayo and mustard mixture, and dig in. Get the recipe here.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

For 10 years, Rachel Ruiz had been searching for her birth mother with the help of her adoptive parents. She finally met Angie Howard for the first time in January, hugging her tight and shedding tears in a moving moment Ruiz recently shared on TikTok. "I finally reunited with my birth mom after 34 years!" she wrote. Ruiz had been adopted at 2 weeks old through a closed adoption in which birth and adoptive parents maintain their privacy. A 2014 DNA test and online searches ultimately led her to Howard. "She wrote, 'I've been praying for this day for 34 years and always wished you would show up on my doorstep,'" Ruiz told TODAY.com. That led to a face-to-face meeting at Ruiz's home in Utah. "It was like looking into a mirror," an emotional Ruiz said. See the full story and more photos here.