Autism - real or redefined?

[Katzeye 0]

I never post here, but I've had it up to my eyeballs on this panic over autism in the other forum.

I would like to post this:

SF GATE

There are estimates that the number of children with autism has increased anywhere from 300 percent to 1,000 percent during the past two decades. Identifying the reasons for this increase has been a source of controversy. Advocates such as Rick Rollens, co-founder of the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute at UC Davis and advocacy groups like Defeat Autism Now have declared that we're in a midst of an autism epidemic.

But the American Heritage Dictionary defines epidemic as "a rapid spread, growth or development," and sound research tells us that there is no epidemic. Instead, the increase in autism cases is due to a better understanding of the disorder and its prevalence.

There are many reasons for this better understanding. For starters, there is more professional and public awareness of autism. Also, we've expanded the definition of autism from the "Rain Man" profile to a spectrum that now includes individuals with milder cases, like those who have Asperger's syndrome. Both of these phenomena have occurred during the past 20 years, which is when the so-called epidemic began.

Whereas in the past a child like Andy may have been diagnosed with "developmental delay not otherwise specified" or "mild mental retardation," now he and many other kids better fit into the autism spectrum.

Finally, and probably the biggest reason for the increase in autism cases, is that those with the disorder began to qualify for state aid -- tax money, therapies and educational assistance. This increases our incentive to make the diagnosis.

In the 80's it was ADD, gogo Ridalyn!
in the 90's it was ADHD, more drugs - yay!
now it's Autism, cuz my kid is "special"

Children do not change just because they are handed a label.

Discuss

Is a chicken omelette redundant?

[peregrinerose 0]

I agree that kids don't change just because they have a new label. I agree that at least some of the 'increase' in autism is due to better understanding/diagnosis.

I don't see the connection to pharmaceuticals with regard to autism though. And with better understanding comes better diagnostic procedures, better research, better fund raising, better care for those with autism and related disorders (aspergers' syndrome, for example), and long term, better quality of life for those affected with the condition.

Jaye can probably post more elequantly on this topic than I can though.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[ExAFO 0]

I smell a stealth Scientologist behind that study.

Aspergers is very real. I know this from friends' experiences.

Autism is also very real.

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[Skyrad 0]

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In the 80's it was ADD, gogo Ridalyn!
in the 90's it was ADHD, more drugs - yay!
now it's Autism, cuz my kid is "special"

Doesn't go with the rest of your post really. The above quote suggests that you some how don't belive that Autism or ADHD are genuine conditions. Can you clarify your posistion please?

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[Ripple 0]

I believe, like every situation, that the seeming increase is as a result of a combination of many factors. Those factors could include a better understanding and diagnosis, healthier profits for the pharmaceutical industry, some parents laziness and poor diet.

As far as the final reason

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Finally, and probably the biggest reason for the increase in autism cases, is that those with the disorder began to qualify for state aid -- tax money, therapies and educational assistance. This increases our incentive to make the diagnosis.

Does the diagnosis not have to be carried out by a health professional who would stand to gain nothing, financially or otherwise? Thereby meaning there may be an increase in people asking for a diagnosis of Autism, but not necessarily a diagnosis being made?

Next Mood Swing: 6 minutes

[Katzeye 0]

My position being that the "increase" in autism is fabricated. Due to a redefinition of the disease whereby the symptoms are more inclusive.

I do believe autism and auspergers is real, but am shocked that every time a child "isn't right _insert behaviour here_" they're autistic.

Hell, by some of the definitions presented, I'm obviously autistic.

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The person usually has a strong desire to seek knowledge, truth and perfection with a different set of priorities than would be expected with other people. There is also a different perception of situations and sensory experiences."

"The person is usually renowned for being direct, speaking their mind and being honest and determined and having a strong sense of social justice."

"The person may actively seek and enjoy solitude, be a loyal friend and have a distinct sense of humour."

And the above is also the definition of a Libra.

Is a chicken omelette redundant?

[Skyrad 0]

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I do believe autism and auspergers is real, but am shocked that every time a child "isn't right _insert behaviour here_" they're autistic.

I suppose that depends on who makes the 'diagnosis'.

When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[masterblaster72 0]

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Finally, and probably the biggest reason for the increase in autism cases, is that those with the disorder began to qualify for state aid -- tax money, therapies and educational assistance. This increases our incentive to make the diagnosis.

Words of utter ignorance.

As someone above already said, autism is very real.

It seems to me you don't know anyone with the condition, otherwise you wouldn't be trivializing the increase in diagnoses.

Your list of "symptoms"...

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The person usually has a strong desire to seek knowledge, truth and perfection with a different set of priorities than would be expected with other people. There is also a different perception of situations and sensory experiences."

"The person is usually renowned for being direct, speaking their mind and being honest and determined and having a strong sense of social justice."

"The person may actively seek and enjoy solitude, be a loyal friend and have a distinct sense of humour."

...are hardly descriptive of any autistic spectrum disorders. It's obvious you (and/or the author of the article) are making light of something you know little to nothing about.

My nephew has a mild case, and his symptoms include abnormally repetitive behaviors, a *very* particular diet (extremely difficult to introduce him to any new foods), trouble socializing with anyone (doesn't greet), among many other symptoms. And this is a mild case.

These are not simple peculiarities you find in just anyone.

If you're interested in learning more about this condition, you can use google to point you to some helpful resources on the web.

If you're interested in making light of something you know next to nothing about, you should educate yourself before making posts from a standpoint of obvious ignorance.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[dan_iv 0]

I have no idea what type of person you are, however your post bothers me.

Growing up with a brother that has a severe case of Autism, which was most likely exasperated due to the fact that research about autism was horrible and cases were rarely diagnosed appropriately at the time the increase in current diagnoses is mostly due to the fact that we are still learning what the signs of it are.

My brother was the most adorable cute looking baby boy, he smiled all the time. When things digressed and Doctors couldn't diagnose him he was put on all kinds of different medications, which in my opinion did nothing but further slow his development down.

Today he is over 30 years old, he has never spoken a word his entire life, he has to be fed, changed, clothed, etc...

To compare Autism to ADD or ADHD in the same breath is disgusting, they aren't even close to being similar disorders and to sit in your high and mighty fucking chair, dismissing the rates of diagnoses increasing is FUCKING PATHETIC.

the more cases that are diagnosed, the more we learn about it, and the closer we can get to finding a cause, and possible cure for it.

[lawrocket 3]

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To compare Autism to ADD or ADHD in the same breath is disgusting

I don't. I have ADHD - a pretty severe case of it, and I don't find it appalling at all. A person with ADHD might find your characterization disgusting.

But I think that Katzeye made some points that deserve some discussion. There has been a steady and rather large increase in the diagnoses of autism in the last few years - autism of varying degrees.

Autism's prevalence is usually around 1-2 per 1,000. But, there is a larger number of Autism Spectrum Disorders - abotu 6 per 1000 - and most of this Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

In 2002, a study was released. The prevalence of Autism was 2-4 per 10k children in the 1940's but rose to up to 60 per 10k by 2000.

According to the research, "The evidence suggests that the majority, if not all, of the reported rise in incidence and prevalence is due to changes in diagnostic criteria and increasing awareness and recognition of autistic spectrum disorders." - http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/98515870/ABSTRACT?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

In other words, the studies reflect that the number of people with autism and ASD remain fairly constant. It's just that diagnosis and awareness has improved substantially.

I think that's what Katzeye is saying. Funding for it, obviously, would have a greater impact. The more funding there is to identify autism, the more autism you'll find.

I do not find her post to be derogatory.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Katzeye 0]

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It seems to me you don't know anyone with the condition, otherwise you wouldn't be trivializing the increase in diagnoses.

The increase in diagnoses has not been proven. The article illustrates that the numbers quoted today (1 in 500 or 250 depending on where you look) are a static indication. There has been no measurement of diagnoses over time, so there is no way to tell if it is a trend.

I have a few autistic people in my family and circle of friends. The oldest one being in her 40's.

The symptoms I quoted are part of what the child is being measured on by the Autism Behavior Checklist. I didn't make it up.

My point being, aside from those that are obviously well within the scale, it seems today that "johnny must be autistic" is the new knee-jerk reaction to any type of behavioral issue that arises. Including not sitting still for story time.

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My nephew has a mild case, and his symptoms include abnormally repetitive behaviors, a *very* particular diet (extremely difficult to introduce him to any new foods), trouble socializing with anyone (doesn't greet), among many other symptoms. And this is a mild case.

Hrm, I'm sitting here playing with my squishy ball for over an hour in a repetitive manner. I know someone who's diet is extremely picky, to the point she just won't eat most of the time. I don't greet 90% of the people here at work.

Not to trivialize your situation. But do you see where I'm going with this?

Is a chicken omelette redundant?

[lawrocket 3]

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The increase in diagnoses has not been proven.

Yes it has. The increase in actual "incidence" of the disease has not been shown.

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There has been no measurement of diagnoses over time, so there is no way to tell if it is a trend.

Yes there has. I posted a link to a study that did just that.

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it seems today that "johnny must be autistic" is the new knee-jerk reaction to any type of behavioral issue that arises.

Awareness causes that. Things tend to go temporarily to the far side of the scale. Only proper diagnosis can help rule it out.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[dan_iv 0]

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To compare Autism to ADD or ADHD in the same breath is disgusting

I don't. I have ADHD - a pretty severe case of it, and I don't find it appalling at all. A person with ADHD might find your characterization disgusting.

I think that's what Katzeye is saying. Funding for it, obviously, would have a greater impact. The more funding there is to identify autism, the more autism you'll find.

I do not find her post to be derogatory.

This is what I find to be derogatory in her post. "now it's Autism, cuz my kid is "special" "

I didn't characterize ADHD in my post, I said that comparing them is disgusting. while you as a person have to deal with ADHD you are a functioning member of society, in fact your quite an intelligent fellow. Now compare that to anyone with a mild or severe case of Autism and cannot be a functioning member of society and are dependent upon their loved ones to take care of them for the rest of their lives.

Trivializing something with at statement like the one the OP did, pisses me off.

I have no intention debating the merits of the original SFGATE article, or the content of the first post other then displaying my disgust with the trivialization of Autism.

[BIGUN 1,314]

I don't think she's saying that Autism isn't real... In fact, she say's "I do believe autism and auspergers is real, but am shocked that every time a child "isn't right _insert behaviour here_" they're autistic." As result, there's been an increase in the diagnosis of Autism relative to the same pattern seen in the past with ADD, ADHD, etc.; when in fact, it was just being a little more hyperactive than other kids.

Unfortunately, the insurance companies do not have a line item to pay for a JAR case (just ain't right) and allow for proper assessment so a label has to be assigned by a doctor first in order to get some form of treatment/help and for the doctor's to get paid.

EDITED TO ADD:

As i was typing, this was being added... which I "think" was the core point.

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My point being, aside from those that are obviously well within the scale, it seems today that "johnny must be autistic" is the new knee-jerk reaction to any type of behavioral issue that arises. Including not sitting still for story time.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[lawrocket 3]

That part I can see.

BUT - Katzeye does have a point about those lookign to autism as an explanation.

ADHD was overdiagnosed, which trivialized it in the population. THere is a long thread in this forum poking fun at ADHD. too many trivialize it.

It would be a shame to see autism and ASD go that way. We see it happening now...

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Katzeye 0]

Yes Lawrocket, as usual you can express it much better than me.

That's why I'm not a lawyer.

I guess the only way I can express it is along the lines of the "dangerous dog" thing.

In the 70's Dobermans were made popular, awareness grew and they then became th #1 "dangerous dog" in America.

Same for the German Shepherd in the 80's

Same for the Rottweiler in the 90's.

And now the Pitt Bull...

But in reality, no one dog is more dangerous than the other. Awareness and media hype made it so.

I_do_not_mean to trivialize the accurate diagnoses of the diseases in any way. My point being about all the knee-jerk reactions going on all over the place.

Is a chicken omelette redundant?

[dan_iv 0]

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That part I can see.

BUT - Katzeye does have a point about those lookign to autism as an explanation.

ADHD was over diagnosed, which trivialized it in the population. THere is a long thread in this forum poking fun at ADHD. too many trivialize it.

It would be a shame to see autism and ASD go that way. We see it happening now...

If you can't tell I am emotionally invested in this, so lets stay on the ADHD vs Autism point. Is it possible that th overdiagnosed patients helped those that actually now have medications to help moderate the effects of ADHD, simply do to the huge amount of awareness of the disease that was created as a result of the over diagnosed? I would say it probably did.

Now some one makes a post about how it upsets them that there has been an increase in diagnoses of Autism and all the "panic" associated with it.


There is NO treatment for Autism that has been found to work, period. Give me all the Fucking panic in the world over it if it helps find some treatments, or possibly even a Cure.

Why it upsets the OP enough to title a thread "Autism Real or redefined"
make this statement as the first sentence "I've had it up to my eyeballs on this panic over autism"

then make these statements

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In the 80's it was ADD, gogo Ridalyn!
in the 90's it was ADHD, more drugs - yay!
now it's Autism, cuz my kid is "special"

Is complete beyond me!

[kelpdiver 2]

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But in reality, no one dog is more dangerous than the other. Awareness and media hype made it so.

Uh, no, the pit bull, the Rott, the dob are clearly more dangerous than dogs in the toy class size. The 20lb dogs will never be as dangerous as the bigger ones, which require more responsible owners.

[ExAFO 0]

Beware of the Teacup Chihuahua.

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[kelpdiver 2]

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Does the diagnosis not have to be carried out by a health professional who would stand to gain nothing, financially or otherwise? Thereby meaning there may be an increase in people asking for a diagnosis of Autism, but not necessarily a diagnosis being made?

That person still knows that the diagnosis will give the patient more options for care and possible improvement.

I don't think there's a rash in false judgements. This isn't at all like ADD, where many people are happily abusing the meds as stimulants.

The question really is has the rate of Autism truly increased due to mercury poisoning or genetics or cause unknown, or was it just undercounted in the past, like so many other medical ailments?

Since the diagnosis is based on conditions, rather than an identifiable root cause (like a pathogen), maybe you can ask if the number of conditions under the autism umbrella has grown, but you're not invitely friendly conversation by suggesting it is being faked by parents. A kid who doesn't talk will have much more difficult time learning than any hyper kid.

[RaXz 0]

Don't forget we are talking about a whole spectrum here, and a spectrum is a lot of colors! The diagnoses only cover a couple of colors, people are unique (special ) . so it's difficult to compare them, they mostly compare the known symptoms.

I think the best treatment against autism is acceptance, but that's not the strong point of many societies, a lot of people tend to be xenophobic, in my opinion. It's the way the system works, it seems that greedy and lying people aren't diagnosed because they are good for the system, sometimes they even are idolized.

Maybe we should focus a bit more on the whole picture instead of only the negative traits of these diagnosis.

[Lindsey 0]

I've never met a greedy, lying autistic person. You're one step ahead of me on that one.

linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[RaXz 0]

That was not what I was trying to relay, I don't think that autistics can't be greedy and lying.

Sorry if it was a bit unclear, my skill in english is rather dusty.

[Trent 0]

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I smell a stealth Scientologist behind that study.

I agree. While I don't doubt that certain conditions (ADD, ADHD) are over diagnosed and the medications subsequently over-prescribed... I think that those conditions are real and the meds do work. Scientology rails against any psychology/psychiatry and any medications they use.

They also refuse to see truly autistic people as... well, people. Hence, Travolta refuses to acknowledge his son, Jett, is autistic.

Sickening.

Oh, hello again!