With the Daily Mail reporting that a soon to be released study by the Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre will indicate UK autism rates of 1 in 60, nearly twice the already astounding rate of 1 in 100 accepted by the National Autism Society in the UK, one has to wonder how broad the definition of autism is now in Merry Old England. After all, Dr. Eric Fombonne has just published another study confirming that the current accepted North American autism rates of approximately 1 in 150 , are due to:
1) A broadened definition of autism
2) Expansion of diagnostic criteria
2) Improved autism awareness
3) Development of services
Those darn Brits must have broadened the definition of autism again without telling anyone on this side of the Atlantic. Of course they could also be more than twice as aware of autism disorders as North Americans. Or perhaps the services available for autistic children in the UK are over twice as good as those available in North American backwaters. Yeah that must be it.
My autistic son Conor was diagnosed 11 years ago. During that time the rates of autism have changed dramatically:
1 in 500
1 in 250
1 in 166
1 in 150 (Center for Disease Control)
In the UK:
1 in 100 (National Autism Society)
1 in 60 ( Cambridge University Autism Research Centre)
My son's diagnosis in 1998 came 4 years after the changes in the DSM which broadened the concept of autism. Services were not generally available in most jurisdictions in Canada and the US until several years after that and are still pathetic in many areas. And still rates have increased dramatically.
These factors undoubtedly explain significant increases in the rates of autism diagnoses. But frankly, I don't believe that the explanation trotted out every time there is a reported increase in autism rates, broadened definition, awareness etc. explain all of these startling increases. I have little doubt that if the rates were reported as having increased to 1 in 10 the same rationalizations would be trotted out.
In the US the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has announced a strategic research plan that will include investigation of environmental causes of autism. Actual research to determine whether the toxic substances present in vaccines, toys, jewelry, air and water to name some possible sources will be conducted. It is about time.
It is time for Dr. Fombonne to be thanked for his past services in calming people's fears.
It is time for the autism epidemic to be seriously investigated by researchers who are not bound to the notion that increased awareness and development of services explain it all.
It is time for the autism epidemic that parents have seen developing in our children be taken seriously.
These factors undoubtedly explain significant increases in the rates of autism diagnoses. But frankly, I don't believe that the explanation trotted out every time there is a reported increase in autism rates, broadened definition, awareness etc. explain all of these startling increases. I have little doubt that if the rates were reported as having increased to 1 in 10 the same rationalizations would be trotted out.
In the US the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee has announced a strategic research plan that will include investigation of environmental causes of autism. Actual research to determine whether the toxic substances present in vaccines, toys, jewelry, air and water to name some possible sources will be conducted. It is about time.
It is time for Dr. Fombonne to be thanked for his past services in calming people's fears.
It is time for the autism epidemic to be seriously investigated by researchers who are not bound to the notion that increased awareness and development of services explain it all.
It is time for the autism epidemic that parents have seen developing in our children be taken seriously.
autism
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