Autism-World

Q:Thirty years ago, it was estimated that roughly one in 2,500 children had autism, while today some estimate that number to have increased more than tenfold, to as high as one in 166. Why do you think this is?

Answer:
The trend seems to indicate that autism is on the rise, but in reality, the diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders is really quite recent.

For example, it isn’t as if no one 100 years ago had “Asperger’s Syndrome.” This condition wasn’t even identified and until about 1944; it wasn’t widely known and labeled/named until 1981; and wasn’t added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) and the American Psychiatric Association’s diagnostic reference book until 1994. So, technically, no one would have shown up in a statistic for Asperger’s Syndrome prior to 1994.

In times past, people with autism spectrum disorders were often diagnosed with other conditions or not diagnosed at all, and just labeled as idiots or eccentric.

While it is possible that environmental conditions can cause widespread health issues, and autism disorders generally have been linked with abnormalities in the way brains develop in the fetus or in children, I tend not to think that the recent higher statistics are a result of more kids actually having “mental disorders”. I believe the statistics are more the product of a society that is eager to define behavioral problems as medical conditions and then try to medicate children and adults.

After hearing a report on public radio and reading up on it, I am pretty sure that I and several members of my family (including great-uncles, etc.) who we previously just thought to be a little eccentric or had strong personalities or quirks, probably had/have mild forms of Asperger’s. I don’t think it is anything new, and I don’t think there are that many more incidents of it now than in times past (as a percentage of the whole population). I’m not sure about the other autism spectrum disorders, but I have heard and read that Asperger’s at least is genetic. Mainly, I just think doctors are discovering and re-defining conditions, applying new labels, and these things are becoming vastly more public.

I would also suggest that all of the advertisements and public awareness campaigns actually tend to influence people who are susceptible, and actually promote symptoms in people who are prone to suggestion but otherwise might not exhibit symptoms of some of these conditions.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, September 1st, 2007 at 9:17 pm and is filed under Ask and answer, Parent Resources.