I think it is pretty well established at this point that the supposed rapid rise in autism is solely a rise in diagnoses resulting from an expansion of behavior and criteria considered to be “autism” coupled with a rise in screening rates. This study took an interesting approach by evaluating the profiles of those persons diagnosed as “autistic” at different ages. It found distinct multi-gene contributors to those diagnosed earlier and those diagnosed later. According to these researchers those diagnosed earlier tend to have more social and communication difficulties, but are less likely to have ADHD or mental health issues, while those diagnosed later have more social issues in adolescence and also are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD or other mental health problems. What is most interesting, however, is just the wide range of behaviors that end up being called “autism” and the fact that it appears that to the extent there are different types of autism diagnosed at different ages, those differences are likely linked to genetic factors. (Nature Article)
It seems to me that we can pretty much stop looking for supposed environmental or other causes of autism and in fact redirect our whole approach to this “condition”. The critical thing is whether a child appears to have difficulty learning or with social interactions and if so, what can be done to improve those skills; without labeling them as autistic, a labeling which has consequences for how these children view themselves and are viewed by others.
Labeling makes it possible for children to get government services and insurance coverage.
Kevin,
Let’s address the increase in profound autism, those with constant head banging, not toilet trained, with the need for constant care!
How do we find the answer for this increased rate?
The CDC’s 2023 study on profound autism also demonstrated that over 16 years of surveillance from 2000 to 2016, the prevalence of profound autism greatly increased, from 0.268% to 0.459% of 8-year-olds.
https://www.ncsautism.org/blog//new-review-articleprofound-autism-an-imperative-diagnosis
again, not clear how much is a real change in prevalence versus diagnoses, even for “profound” autism. those kinds of behaviors used to get other labels and diagnoses, mostly severe mental health illness.
I guess I’m an agnostic on the autism issue. I don’t know what causes it. There must be a genetic factor. In addition, perhaps, some environmental trigger. Something in the way and when vaccines are delivered? I don’t know that either. Jill Escher, who has two severely autistic children, dismisses the vaccine theory. But she insists there has been a “50 fold” increase in the incidents of autism. She rejects the better diagnostics explanation. Again, I don’t know.
So, where I am, and where I believe we all are: we don’t know what causes autism. And we don’t know if there has been an actual increase in autism numbers, or if said increase is a function of better diagnostic techniques and an expansion of the clinical umbrella. It may take a long time, if ever, to find answer to the cause(s). But we damn well all have to be in agreement on one fundamental factor: is there an actual increase?
We don’t even know that. You say no. Escher says yes. Tomato, tomahto.
Keep up the good work. Your logic is like a razor.
George O’Har
When parents notice that their children who achieved normal milestones suddenly, within days or weeks, become nonverbal and lose other normal capabilities, then it has to be some environmental/pharmaceutical trigger, maybe with a genetic predisposition and we need to address and find the causes of this.
when does that happen? never that I or the medical professionals I work with have ever heard of
appreciate the points and thank you for the kind words
Several others have commented on the expanded range of the spectrum that is now labeled autism.
Some what similar is the expanded generic use of term dyslexia. Dyslexia is a very narrow learning disability. However, the term has been expanded to cover a wide range of supposed learning disabilities, possibly for no other reason as an excuse for poor academic performance.