You hear all the time that the percentage of children being diagnosed with autism is growing. One in 88 children are diagnosed with being on the Autistic Spectrum according to a study released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why the rising number? Unfortunately we do not have all the answers to that question. We only know a little about what is different about the brains of a child with autism and a child without. We do not fully understand the cause yet so there is no way to fully explain the rise.
I am in no position, nor are the most well-acclaimed physicians and researchers, to claim that environmental factors may not play a role in the increase. There will always be that argument as long as we still do not have the answers as to what causes all forms of autism.
However, it is safe to say that the awareness of autism and the screening is far superior than it has ever been before.
More and more children are being referred for help based on observed characteristics. There was a time these children would get Early Intervention Services because of their delays in development. Those children would get help in all areas needed but would not necessarily receive a diagnosis. They did not need to. They could receive all the services they needed based on the delays. However, now to get the highest level of services a child must have a diagnosis for insurance purposes and government resources. Does that mean we have more children presenting with the characteristics of autism? Not necessarily, as many children were presenting but did not need the label to access what they needed. Nowadays, if you want more services (which we know for a fact are needed for children with autism) then those children need a diagnosis.
I am not saying that I do not believe in diagnoses. That’s not at all what I am saying. I am just pointing out that it has to play a role in why we see a rise in autism.
If you carefully look around you, you will undoubtedly find, know, or meet some adults who are different than you and what you relate to as typical. They seem socially awkward, they keep to themselves, or when they do attempt socialization they come off as odd. They may be brilliant with certain things like math, logic, etc. They may be computer people, engineers, and surgeons. Our culture has accepted these people as smart but weird.
Or maybe you know some adults who are not that bright and things come difficult for them. They need extra help with things and are socially off. Our culture has assigned these people as special or different.
Maybe you know someone who just cannot let go of an idea. They perseverate on it, and they cannot handle it when others don’t see it their way. They beat to their own drum and could not beat to someone else’s even if they tried.
Maybe you know someone who does not get sarcasm. They are very literal – so much so that they miss the true meaning behind some things said. They don’t get bodily clues, and facial expressions. They miss clues and seem like the odd man out, or maybe they have issues with personal space.
What would have happened if these types of adults were born today in the current time of 2013? Would they have been flagged and given a diagnosis? Hard to say, but I will tell you something interesting that I have observed in my work in the field. In many cases, the adults I have worked with, or known, who present with some of the above characteristics were actually late to speak, were challenging, and displayed explosive behaviors as small children.
When these adults were young, autism was a diagnosis given out but it was for the children who had extreme obvious debilitating characteristics. I just wonder what would have happened if they had been born in the current times.
I know many adults both personally and professionally that I see as having what we know as autistic characteristics. Many of them being the parents of the children I have worked with who have a diagnosis of autism. Or perhaps they are not the parent but have a child in their families with the diagnosis.
Scientists, researchers, and medical professionals all agree that there are genetic components in autism. In order for it to be genetic, others in the family must have those genes. Thus, they are likely to have those characteristics assuming that there was a great deal of people with the characteristics all along, but not identified.
One could argue that the genetic make up was always there but something new is triggering it more in the current generation. An article on the Autism Speaks website states, “In other words, in the presence of a genetic predisposition to autism, a number of nongenetic, or environmental influences further increase a child’s risk.”
Yes, there is a rise in diagnosis of a autism. But, how much of it is an actual rise in autism itself is hard to say for sure. What we do know is that early detection, early therapies and services equate the very best turn out for these children. Yes, I am sure there are adults walking around who would have been diagnosed with being on the autistic spectrum in a different time, but I also bet that If you asked them about their childhood they would have plenty of struggles to share with you. My philosophy and belief is to help children overcome their obstacles and struggles. So, I never ask myself, “will this child be okay if we just wait and see.” Instead, I always say, “I want to hold this child’s hand to make sure they do not struggle”. I just hope parents and other educators see it this way as well.
Learn more about engaging children with autism into your childcare program, how to read the signs of children with autism, how to integrate children with autism into your daily activities, and information about services available to parents of children with autism in my May 6th teleseminar, Children with Autism (Diagnosed or Not!) in Your Early Childhood Program, 7:30-9:00 (EDT)/4:30-6:00PM (PDT). More information will be coming soon to the home page of my website.
