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A recent surge in autism diagnoses has brought national attention to the disorder, with rates now reaching 1 in 36 children, a significant increase from earlier estimates. This dramatic rise has sparked discussions about the underlying causes and the implications for public health.
President Donald Trump, during a joint address to Congress, highlighted the increase, noting that autism prevalence was “1 in 10,000” “not long ago,” possibly referencing older studies. However, experts from Northeastern University emphasize that improved awareness and earlier diagnoses are significant factors contributing to the higher numbers.
“I think this reflects a healthy trend of increased public awareness and also increased understanding and societal awareness of autism,” says Zhenghan Qi, an assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders and psychology at Northeastern University.
Laurel Gabard-Durnam, director of Northeastern’s PINE (Plasticity in Neurodevelopment) Lab, adds, “The biggest change is that we’ve gotten much better at screening and identifying kids.” She also points out that changes in diagnostic criteria, including the recognition of autism as a spectrum, have contributed to the increase in diagnoses.
Understanding Autism and its History
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting communication, social interaction, and learning. Symptoms typically emerge in the first two years of life and can include delayed language skills, avoidance of eye contact, and repetitive behaviors.
The disorder was first described by Dr. Leo Kanner in 1943. Since then, the understanding of autism has evolved significantly. A key change occurred in 2013 when the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) included Asperger’s syndrome as part of the autism spectrum.
“Since then, our understanding of what autism is has changed a lot,” says Qi, who also mentioned the recognition that other disorders can co-occur with autism, such as Down syndrome and ADHD, which also expand the number of diagnosed individuals.
Factors Contributing to Increased Rates
Experts suggest that several factors contribute to the rise in autism diagnoses:
- Improved Screening and Diagnosis: Enhanced screening tools and increased awareness among healthcare professionals have led to earlier and more accurate diagnoses.
- Expanded Diagnostic Criteria: The broadening of the autism spectrum to include milder forms of the disorder has increased the number of individuals diagnosed.
- Increased Awareness Across Diverse Populations: Recognition of autism in various ethnicities and cultures, beyond the historically studied white middle-class population, has broadened the scope of diagnoses.
- Increased awareness of autism in girls: Increased awareness of the symptoms of autism in girls has led to higher diagnosis rates in that population.
- Potential Risk Factors: Genetic mutations, older parental age, and improved survival rates for preterm babies are also considered potential contributors.
The Importance of Early Intervention
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal autism screening at 18 and 24 months. Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes for children with autism. Screening tools like the M-CHAT-R/F and POSI help identify children who may benefit from early intervention services.
“Early intervention is absolutely the key,” says Qi.
“On the whole, we’re doing a much better job at identifying kids earlier as we get better instruments for doing the screening and as we get a more refined sense of what is worrying and what is not on some of these different measures,” Gabard-Durnam says.
Disclaimer:
It is important to note that the information provided in this article is based on the provided source material and represents the views of the experts cited. Autism is a complex disorder, and ongoing research continues to enhance our understanding of its causes and prevalence. While the increase in diagnoses is partly attributed to improved awareness and diagnostic practices, further research is needed to fully understand the underlying factors contributing to the rise in autism rates.
