why is the case of autism and hyperactivity in children is increasing everyday?

Answer 1

I'm ADD, as was my mother (born 1932) and my grandmother (born 1902). Nether of them were diagnosed as children because the condition was not known until the 60's. So they would not be in any stats, as I would. There by creating the illusion that more kids are ADD today.

The same is the case with some forms of autsim. While some people believe autism rates have skyrocketted, others believe the rate of diagnosis is what has increased, not the actual incedence rate.

Given that Asperger's, the most common form of autism (62 - 86%), was not know to exist in America until 1990, it seems obvious that at least some of the increase is due to a better understanding & therefore a better diagnosis of Autism. People with Asperger's were always around, just labeled as "odd," "geeks," or "not quite right."

Then I have to wonder how many of the kids with the more severe forms were labeled brain damage, or just retarded. Remember, until recently, the common belief was that autsim was caused by unloving, neglectful mothers. If a doctor KNEW the mother was very loving & attentive, he would likely rule out a dianosis of autism, therefore keeping the diagnosis rate artificially low (back in the 80's & before).

I've included the link to a question I asked about autism stats. Be sure to click on "comments" for a bit more info & links I found later.

Answer 2

Better awareness and better diagnosis? PFFT!! ha ha! Thanks for the laugh.

I agree with the person who said it is food additives. I so believe this is the case. But only in the children who really have a problem. I think most of it has to do with a need for parents to put labels on their children. Instead of parenting their children they look for a disorder and then they medicate them. Now autism is on a spectrum. So, any child with even only one symptom can be classified as autistic. Any behavior that is normal child behavior is now grouped into a disorder. Any child on this planet can be labeled with a disorder. Any child can show symptoms because the symptoms are all part of normal childhood development.

Answer 3

I am going to take a ghiant leap in logic here. Todays children were mainly birthed from the abandoned geeration. Well we weren't shown how to parent except through drugs, TV, and video games. So; when we grew up and had our kids that's all we really knew. On the flip the pharmacutical and medical communities were more than happy to perpetuate this because like any other business they will go where the most money is.

Answer 4

I may be remembering incorrectly, but isn't there also a methylmercury connection? I believe I read that a child's exposure to the mercury in fish is a contributing factor, if not one of the causes. Methylmercury exposure can happen to children while they're in the womb, while breastfeeding, and of course, by eating fish.

Unfortunately, all fish have at least some mercury in them due to the pollution of our oceans and lakes. Tuna is one of the worst fish to eat as far as mercury levels are concerned, and that's the seafood that most kids eat.

The Chicago Tribune did a special report that is very informative on this subject. The link is: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/broadband/chi-mercury-htmlstory,0,3799369.htmlstory

I think the best thing we can do is give our kids the most healthy, structured lives we can. This means more playtime and less tv, more structured activities, and making informed food choices for our children instead of feeding them the copious amounts of garbage that gets marketed to us and them every day.

Answer 5

Psychologists believe that, at best only 2% of all children suffer from ADD/ADHD and autistic spectrum disorders, yet as many as 20% are being diagnosed as having the condition(s). I believe that children are being overdiagnosed, and that a large number of these kids are really suffering from poor diet, lack of disipline and boredom. In saying this there are genuinely some children who do suffer with a real genuine disorder, we need to develop better diagnostic criteria to prevent the frequent misdiagnosis.

Answer 6

There is a new study that found that as men age, the risk of autism in the children they father rises rapidly, up to 6x over the risk when in their 20's.

Answer 7

I'm gonna go with the new hormones and additives in food. Because they are giving cows growth hormones to make them bigger, there have been reports of girls as young as 8 beginning menstruation. Too many chemicals cannot be good for a person.

Answer 8

MMR shots being given too early, damaged chromosomes. Too many hazards in the world. We're also getting better at detecting it earlier.

Answer 9

Perhaps they always existed and we are just recognizing them now.

Answer 10

Better awareness and better diagnosis.