National Poppy Day in the United States commemorates the service and sacrifice of veterans, symbolized by the poppy flower. Lt. Col. John McCrae’s iconic poem “In Flanders Fields” inspired the tradition, and the American Legion Auxiliary distributes paper poppies in exchange for donations to support veterans.
updated May 24, 2024
The Friday of Memorial Day weekend is observed as National Poppy Day. In the United States, the last Monday in May is Memorial Day, now a holiday weekend.
Another American remembrance day features poppies -Veterans Day, always observed on the 11th day of the 11th month, November.
In the early 1920s the American Legion Auxiliary adopted the poppy as the American Legion Family’s memorial flower. The poppy, a simple red flower, symbolizes the service and sacrifice of veterans of World War I and veterans in other eras.
ALA members distribute millions of paper poppies annually across the country in exchange for donations used to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities.
Why poppies?
I love the story of the poppies because it has a medical connection.
In the battlefields of Belgium during World War I, poppies grew wild amid the ravages of war. The overturned soils of battle covered the poppy seeds, allowing them to grow and forever serve as a reminder of the bloodshed of war.
Out of this conflict came a poem, associated with poppies.
In Flanders Fields
The now-iconic poem, In Flanders Fields, was written by a military physician, Lt. Col. John McCrae.
Originally from Canada, Dr. McCrae was an English and math teacher, and a poet, before he attended medical school. He moved to England where he was practicing when World War I broke out. He was called to serve as a brigade surgeon.
I suspect that as a physician, he was deeply pained by treating the wounded and losing those he could not save.
“In April 1915, McCrae was stationed in the trenches near Ypres, Belgium, in an area known as Flanders, during the bloody Second Battle of Ypres.
Amid the tragic warfare, McCrae’s friend, twenty-two-year-old Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, was killed by artillery fire and buried in a makeshift grave.
The following day, Dr. McCrae, after seeing the field of makeshift graves blooming with wild poppies, wrote his famous poem “In Flanders Field,” which would be the second to last poem he would ever write.”
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
This poem is in the public domain.
The poppy is the official state flower of California. Read
Thanks to the support of generous donors like you, The American Legion can continue to provide much-needed assistance to our veterans, service members and their families.
You can help veterans by donating at this link.
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The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in the U.S. is currently estimated at 1 in 36 children. Factors contributing to this increase include heightened awareness and changes in diagnostic criteria. The article stresses the importance of accurate identification and early screening, which may lead to more effective care and support for individuals with autism.
updated December 22, 2025
This information is current as of the date of original publication or update but may have changed by the time you read this. Do not use this information for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Before making health decisions, discuss with a qualified healthcare professional.
Like other physicians and families of people with autism, I puzzle over the increased number of children and adults diagnosed with autism. And most all of us have theories about why we now believe 1 in 36 children have autism spectrum disorders.
People point out that “when they were children” they never knew of anyone with autism. Some are convinced that the increase of autism followed the introduction of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, MMR.
Others implicate genetics, environmental toxins, diet, and intrauterine brain trauma. In 2025, then Secretary of HHS, Robert Kennedy Jr. announced that the “cause” of autism is Tylenol (generic acetaminophen), which President Donald Trump announced in a press conference. No definitive proof was provided and later the claim was softened.
“The bulk of the increase (in autism rates) stems from a growing awareness of autism and changes to the condition’s diagnostic criteria.”
This article (updated in 2020) was published in Spectrum whose commitment is “to provide accurate and objective coverage of autism research.” Spectrum is funded by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative. Senior News Writer Jessica Wright, Ph.D. in biological sciences from Stanford University, wrote the report. (Scientific American also published the article by permission.)
This #AutismAcceptanceMonth, @CDC_NCBDDD encourages awareness, inclusion, and connection to support services and one another. Learn more about our work in understanding #Autism in children:
Identifying Autism
Let’s consider some terminology. Prevalence is an estimate of how common a disease or condition is in a particular population of people at any given time.
So the prevalence of autism in children would be
the number of children identified as autistic at any given time
divided by the total number of children alive at that time.
The currently accepted rate of autism is 1 in 36 children.
Autism prevalence depends on children being correctly identified as autistic. At any given time, some autistic children may not be identified, and some may be incorrectly identified.
We do not have any totally objective tests available for autism yet. There is no blood test, scan, culture, imaging study, DNA test, or monitor to definitely conclude that autism is or is not present.
The definition of and criteria for autism have changed substantially since “infantile autism” was first identified by Leo Kanner over 70 years ago. Since 1980, the diagnosis is based on applying the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
In the most recent version, DSM-5, released in 2013, autism, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder, formerly separate, are now a single diagnosis.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is characterized by
Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts
Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities
Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (But may not yet be fully expressed or may be modified by learned behavior in later life)
Symptoms cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of current functioning.
These disturbances are not better explained by intellectual disability (intellectual developmental disorder) or global developmental delay.
When the diagnostic criteria for other diseases we diagnose and manage changes, the prevalence also changed. Examples include diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, migraine, obesity, depression, even some cancers. So autism is not unique in this regard.
The currently accepted rate of autism, 1 in 36, comes from the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network , established by the CDC in 2000. Children are identified by reviewing health and school records of 8-year-olds in selected counties. So possibly some children get missed, and some are assigned incorrectly.
Point of Reference: IDEA
Another major milestone in autism awareness occurred in 1991 when the U.S. Department of Education ruled that autistic children qualify for special education services. This ruling encouraged parents of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities to secure accurate diagnoses, to qualify for services they otherwise might not have access to.
AAP recommends screening
Since 2006, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended routine screening of all children for autism at 18 and 24 months old. Many physicians, psychologists, and therapists believe early intervention improves these children’s chances to do well intellectually and socially.
If we could go back and review records of children 10, 20, or 30 years ago, and apply current diagnostic criteria, would we find less autism than we do today? Perhaps. But such records would likely reflect the understanding of autism at the time, so might still fail to recognize autism, even when present by today’s standards.
The apparent increased number of children with autism seems alarming-some call it an epidemic. It may represent our increased awareness, recognition, and knowledge about this disorder. And while this increase should raise concern, it can lead to increased research, treatment options, and more effective care for autistic persons.
Jason Hague’s memoir “Aching Joy” explores faith, fatherhood, and autism through the lens of his son’s diagnosis. Despite initial denial and shaken faith, Hague finds solace in trusting a higher power. The book is a powerful journey through grief, hope, and ultimately, faith in the face of unexpected challenges.
“Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism” by Barry M. Prizant, PhD, CCC-SLP offers insights into understanding and living with autism. The book promotes a person-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of engaging, building self-esteem, and fostering joyful experiences for individuals with autism. Dr. Prizant advocates for working with their strengths rather than focusing on…
I’d love for you to follow this blog. I share information and inspiration to help you transform challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.
Add your name to the subscribe box to be notified of new posts by email. Click the link to read the post and browse other content. It’s that simple. No spam.
I enjoy seeing who is new to Watercress Words. When you subscribe, I will visit your blog or website. Thanks and see you next time.
watercress words by Dr Aletha 