5 ms·

> since I believe it's now actually agreed upon that autism rates actually ARE increasing why do you believe that? I'm not aware of any recent research that wo

by hannob 7y ago

> since I believe it's now actually agreed upon that autism rates actually ARE increasing why do you believe that? I'm not aware of any recent research that would point in that direction and disprove the very plausible hypothesis that the increase is an effect of changing diagnosis criteria and increased attention for the topic.

arkades 7y ago
I’m also unfamiliar with any data to suggest the increase in rates is anything but a change in diagnostic criteria. And it’s my field, so I’d OP has data to share, I’d be very appreciative of a link.
- NoahNedz 7y ago
  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
  - najarvg 7y ago
    This link talks about prevalence rates. I don't see anything talking about an increase in autism rates that is not just explained by increase in diagnoses as the OP claimed
  - arkades 7y ago
    Right. These are the precise prevalence numbers that have been addressed in multiple studies showing that the change is attributable to increases in public awareness / detection efforts, and broadened diagnostic criteria. Thank you for digging up a link.
efa 7y ago
Yes, I'd like to know where you are getting that the actual rates are increasing. My wife and I (parent's of a daughter with autism) laugh how every year they claim the numbers increase - 1/100, then 1/50, etc. These are numbers marketed by Autism Speaks and other organizations to make autism appear more wide spread and increase their funding. This does nothing but hurt people with more severe autism. Widening the net so wide so that any social difficulties is considered autism just reduces the availability of services for children with "real" autism. Autism is a spectrum, with people who are completely non-verbal constantly stemming to people with Asperger's Syndrome who excel but have some social difficulties. They really should be distinguished.
- alexandercrohde 7y ago
  Let's separate facts from feelings. At the end of the day it really is irrelevant what indirect emotional consequences the facts have, all that matters is that we get the ones that happen to be true so that we can make the best choices going forward. I'll try to find the sources and post them on parent.
  - efa 7y ago
    How am I expressing feelings and not facts?
- fragmede 7y ago
  > Widening the net so wide so that any social difficulties is considered autism That's an oversimplification of the situation, both the autism spectrum (including the now-reclassified Aspergers), and the entire rest of the DSM. Some of those mental disorders also result in social difficulties. I'm sure you would like more help for only "deserving", specific children like yours, but increased access means more schools that are able to handle IEPs, more teachers able to cope with special needs children, more understanding by all that yelling at a non-verbal stimming child is counterproductive, It means more attention paid by society, more research into the problem, resulting in figuring out the causes of autism. It really is a spectrum, and limiting help and research to only individuals to non-verbal, body-rocking, non-stop stimming makes it very hard for research to progress - those individuals are very difficult to communicate with! Someone who's limits of communication is PEC cards, is not able to give any useful sort of description of how a particular medication is affecting them. We are starting to recognize that it is, as least partially, an anxiety disorder, of which we already have a number of doctor prescribed medications, with anecdotal successful treatment for autism. (I proffer no opinion on Autism Speaks here.)
  - efa 7y ago
    I'm not sure what you mean by increased access. The public school system has very limited funds and personnel. There are some schools with no dedicated reading specialist for example (ever fewer have occupational therapist or autism specialist trained in ABA or other methods). In the real world you have to make decisions on what kids need extra help. It would be great to say everyone gets it but that's not feasible. I'm all for researching across the spectrum and more public awareness.

by hannob 7y ago

arkades 7y ago

I’m also unfamiliar with any data to suggest the increase in rates is anything but a change in diagnostic criteria. And it’s my field, so I’d OP has data to share, I’d be very appreciative of a link.

NoahNedz 7y ago
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
- najarvg 7y ago
  This link talks about prevalence rates. I don't see anything talking about an increase in autism rates that is not just explained by increase in diagnoses as the OP claimed
- arkades 7y ago
  Right. These are the precise prevalence numbers that have been addressed in multiple studies showing that the change is attributable to increases in public awareness / detection efforts, and broadened diagnostic criteria. Thank you for digging up a link.

efa 7y ago

Yes, I'd like to know where you are getting that the actual rates are increasing. My wife and I (parent's of a daughter with autism) laugh how every year they claim the numbers increase - 1/100, then 1/50, etc. These are numbers marketed by Autism Speaks and other organizations to make autism appear more wide spread and increase their funding. This does nothing but hurt people with more severe autism. Widening the net so wide so that any social difficulties is considered autism just reduces the availability of services for children with "real" autism. Autism is a spectrum, with people who are completely non-verbal constantly stemming to people with Asperger's Syndrome who excel but have some social difficulties. They really should be distinguished.

alexandercrohde 7y ago
Let's separate facts from feelings. At the end of the day it really is irrelevant what indirect emotional consequences the facts have, all that matters is that we get the ones that happen to be true so that we can make the best choices going forward. I'll try to find the sources and post them on parent.
- efa 7y ago
  How am I expressing feelings and not facts?
fragmede 7y ago
> Widening the net so wide so that any social difficulties is considered autism That's an oversimplification of the situation, both the autism spectrum (including the now-reclassified Aspergers), and the entire rest of the DSM. Some of those mental disorders also result in social difficulties. I'm sure you would like more help for only "deserving", specific children like yours, but increased access means more schools that are able to handle IEPs, more teachers able to cope with special needs children, more understanding by all that yelling at a non-verbal stimming child is counterproductive, It means more attention paid by society, more research into the problem, resulting in figuring out the causes of autism. It really is a spectrum, and limiting help and research to only individuals to non-verbal, body-rocking, non-stop stimming makes it very hard for research to progress - those individuals are very difficult to communicate with! Someone who's limits of communication is PEC cards, is not able to give any useful sort of description of how a particular medication is affecting them. We are starting to recognize that it is, as least partially, an anxiety disorder, of which we already have a number of doctor prescribed medications, with anecdotal successful treatment for autism. (I proffer no opinion on Autism Speaks here.)
- efa 7y ago
  I'm not sure what you mean by increased access. The public school system has very limited funds and personnel. There are some schools with no dedicated reading specialist for example (ever fewer have occupational therapist or autism specialist trained in ABA or other methods). In the real world you have to make decisions on what kids need extra help. It would be great to say everyone gets it but that's not feasible. I'm all for researching across the spectrum and more public awareness.