The rates of autism in America have skyrocketed in recent decades, with a sharp increase attributed to the updating of guidelines for diagnosing autism. Dr. Allen Frances, a leading psychiatrist, acknowledges that his team’s work led to an explosion in cases and fueled the anti-vaccine movement.
In the 1980s, one in 2,000 children had autism in the US. However, by the turn of the century, this number had jumped 13-fold to one in 150 children. Dr. Frances’ updated guidelines for diagnosing autism introduced Asperger’s syndrome as a form of autism, and further loosened definitions to include even milder cases.
Today, around one in 31 children have autism spectrum disorder. While Dr. Frances acknowledges that his team had good intentions, he also admits that their efforts led to “terrible unintended consequences.” He believes that the current system is too narrow and only covers a specific subset of people who require treatment.
The increase in autism diagnoses has fueled growing distrust in vaccines, with many linking the measles, mumps, and rubella shot to autism. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence disproving any connection, this myth spread online and has led to falling vaccination rates and a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles.
Dr. Frances argues that loosening the definition of autism spectrum disorder made it more common, as people with normal social awkwardness or eccentricities were now being labeled as having the condition. He also notes that the lack of a biological test and varying symptoms make diagnosis unreliable.
The crisis has sparked concerns over misdiagnoses, with 20% of those diagnosed with autism also having anxiety disorders and 11% having depressive disorders. Dr. Frances advocates for viewing autism diagnoses in children as temporary and reversible, rather than permanent.
With the rising rates of autism in both children and adults, experts are urging caution and a critical re-examination of the diagnosis process to ensure accurate and reliable diagnoses.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14842113/autism-rates-surge-allen-frances.html