The diagnosis of autism is on the rise, but autism itself may not be the case

This leads to the misconception that autism is more well known and diagnosed than ever before, and that there is a surge in cases.

And some of these criteria were attracting attention by others. As a toddler, Leo rarely made eye contact. At nursery, he did not respond to speeches like other children. He frequently exhibited obsessive behavior, including flapping his wings and biting his clothes. He was easily stressed and overwhelmed. As a result, his diagnosis at the age of 2 in 2003 was relatively easy.

However, Rosa was not given much guidance on the next step. “I felt very lost,” says Rosa, a mother and editor of three California-resident editors. “I was really mad.” Like many other parents, what she wanted to know was more than anything, the reason her child had autism. Online, she discovered that other parents were looking for the same answer.

Over the years, Rosa realized she was wrong. Rosa not only eventually gave up opposition to vaccinations, but also started a website, A guide to autism thinkingto help others. “I've been there and I have sympathy for people who believe in things like this,” she says. “But now I know it's misinformation.”

Rosa's story is an example of how some families want a clear answer following the diagnosis of autism. Earlier this year, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. committed to a “large scale” research effort involving hundreds of scientists to reach the bottom of what he called it. Autism “Most” Until September 2025.

“It can look surprising to people you don't know. [the context of the statistics]”There's no growing number of cases of autism, says Zoe Gross, director of advocacy at the Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), a US nonprofit run by people with autism. “In fact, there's an increasing number of diagnoses.

As a distinct, recognized condition, autism is relatively new. Not included Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM) – Until 1980, this book contains details on hundreds of mental state symptoms and recommended treatments. This means that children with ASD are often misdiagnosed as a condition similar to schizophrenia, or are not diagnosed at all. But even this perception turned out to be narrow. 1980 Included criteriafor example, onset 30 months ago, lack of responsiveness to others, language delays, and all criteria listed for getting a diagnosis were required.

Over the next 45 years, the diagnostic criteria for autism have been expanded. In 2013, a particularly large change occurred, DSM first brought in a subcategory that included Asperger's syndrome. Under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Those who had not previously had an autism diagnosis are more likely to meet the criteria now.

In particular, people have a better understanding of the various ways autism may be visible. “People who may not have been involved in the past few years, perhaps they have a strong support need,” Gross says. This is true in many parts of the world. Yoon Joo Koh, a lead researcher at the Korean Institute for Children's Social Development, says that in this country, many parents have learned about ASD through social media and come to her clinic earlier than before.

All this means there are fewer hidden cases of autism. “People with autism have always been here,” says Rosa. “But we've never had a really good feeling about how many people there actually are.”

Autism is very hereditary and means Genetic factors – But very complicated, says Sven Sandin, a statistician and psychiatric epidemiologist at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the Ikaan School of Medicine in Mount Sinai, New York.

Sandin's study in five high-income countries found that ASD is about 80% hereditary. This means that in the population, approximately 80% of the difference in ASD risk is due to genetic variation. In other words, genetics lies behind most ASD cases. His research in Sweden discovered it It is particularly genetic among boys: 87% of boys and 75.7% of girls. Like so many aspects of autism epidemiology, it's not clear why Sandin says.

However, it seems clear from his work. One of his Swedish studiesautism runs through the family. Children whose complete siblings had autism were ten times more likely than autism compared to children whose siblings did not have autism. If the half-siblings were autistic, the child could be triple the condition.

In the same twin study, if one individual has ASD, 65-90% There is that in their twins too.

However, knowing that autism is hereditary does not mean that one gene is responsible for everyone who has it. in fact, Over 100 genes Although it has been identified as having some connection to an autism diagnosis, these are not necessarily specific to autism and often have links to other conditions. Some people think that may be Thousands of genes involved.

But genetics is not a whole story. “The general belief is that there are very diverse, different genes and very complex genetic structures, and perhaps there are environmental impacts as well. [autism]”Sandin says.

Preterm birth is also associated with social factors such as low income and food insecurity. Children of the US minority.

Several studies have found correlations with Birth Interval Mother's health status, including diabetes, smoking, obesity. However, these have proven difficult to solve – for example, it is not clear whether maternal BMI directly contributes to autism, or whether it just means older mothers tend to have a higher BMI, Sandin says – and may be related Shared environment conditions Not a direct link.

At least some of these risk factors may increase individually of minor players, but adding them together can be more important. But overall, experts agree Most environmental factors need to be further studied Before you reach a conclusion. What was finally there? I've excluded Links between vaccines that contain specific ones material Some are included – and ASD.

This is a dissatisfaction for many, Gross notes. “Many people are looking for a brief explanation, especially when autism is being blamed, when they are told a lot of negative things about their child's disorder, when they want responsibility as well as explanations.”

The resulting vacuum created space to spread simplified ideas. Even those lacking evidence and repeatedly exposed. In the USfor example, where the current measles occurs He claimed multiple livesChildren with older siblings having ASD are unlikely to be vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella – Probably some To the long-lived link between autism and vaccination.

One reason it is common to be wary of the rise in autism diagnosis is that society generally does not have sufficient support systems to accompany diagnosis. A way to avoid being scared of an autism diagnosis is to improve support, she says.

Rosa agrees. She says the real crisis is not autism, but care and support. She feels there is a shortage for 24-year-old Leo, who loves hiking and pizza today. Researchers continue to solve the science of autism as Rosa continues to seek the best way to support her son.

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