Is there really an "autism epidemic"?

Question

I have heard a lot about an "autism epidemic" lately; also heard it is nothing but a myth or change in diagnostic trends. I tend to think of autism as a normal variant in the way people are wired, whereas the idea of an "epidemic" would seem to suggest that it is a disease, caused by mass exposure of our population to toxins or something. So, does anyone have an opinion on whether or not there is really an "autism epidemic", as well as some facts to back up your opinion?

Answer 1

"Epidemic" is the wrong word.

I believe much, but not all, of the autism "epidemic" is just from changes in the diagnosis criterea & improved diagnosis.

We know the rate of DIAGNOSIS has increased but we are not certain if the actual condition is much more common. My niece & nephew would likely have just been diagnosed as "retarded" or "brain damaged" 30 or 40 years ago.

I heard many claim the rate of austims used to be 1 out of 10,000. Those stats from many years ago which included only classic autism. Even then, many with autism were just diagnosed "retarded" or some other general label. Most experts agree that the actual incidence rate of classic autism 30 years ago was more like 1 out of 1,000.

The current stats (1 out of 166) include Asperger's & other high-functioning forms of autism which were never diagnosed as autistic until the late 80s. The now compose as much as 70% of those with autism. Classic, or "Kanner's" autism occurs at about a rate of 1 out of 500.

So an accurate comparison would the old incidence rate of 1 out of 1,000 to the new rate of 1 out of 500. That means the rates have doubled, but that is a far cry from the rate increasing 60 times over. (and far from an "epidemic")

Answer 2

I have a son with autism, so I've done a lot of reading about this. Also, I work at a university with a med school, and I've had an opportunity to talk with friends who are faculty at the med school on this subject. It's not an "epidemic" in that the word "epidemic" implies that something is communicable. You can't "catch" autism from someone else. It is true, though, that many more kids are being born with autism than in the past, and that it's not due to improvements or changes in diagnosis. No one knows what the cause of the dramatic increase is. I have recently read that the incidence is 1 in 150 births.

Answer 3

I have worked with children with Autism for several years and have come up with the following: some people believe that when children are given their shots for measles, mumps, rubella at the same time, it causes too much mercury in the blood stream and a normally developing child will regress and start showing signs of Autism. Another theory is the environment. In the region where I live, there has been a spike in the amount of children born with Autism. I live in New York. Some other affected areas are Toms River, NJ and Brick, NJ. Unfortunately, so far, there is no concrete evidence as to why Autism happens in normally developing children.

Answer 4

I don't believe there can be an autism "epidemic" persay, but it is true that more and more kids now adays have autism and scientist have many theories as to why. I believe the statistic is 1 autistic child to every 100 children...and that's a lot.

Answer 5

It's a change in daignses. More people are diagnosed with autism now than before, but less people are diagnosed with other things.