Autism Rate Increase is Not a Fad
New studies are coming out suggesting that rate of autism in the population is now 1 in 100 as opposed to the more commonly known rates of 1 in 150. This of course is a much higher rate than the 1 in 10,000 rate that we saw a couple of decades ago. This of course is the epidemic we are faced with today. Many still argue that there is no increase in autism and that it is only that the diagnosis is being used more. That is to say, that it is now a more popular or fad diagnosis. Some argue that the increase in the diagnosis autism is just funding purposes in order to get more grants from the government or services for a particular child. This is known as diagnostic substitution. Those that have attended my presentation know that there is scientific research to the contrary. However, parents in the real world hear these “opinions ” every day . My approach also relates to “treating what is found”and not being concerned with labels. That is to say, that we observe function or lack of function, and then try to restore it. We are not concerned with labels and know that there is much overlap among these conditions. I found a great post on this issue on the following website. I thought she did a nice job of capturing the feelings and frustrations of many out there. http://auttoknow.blogspot.com/2009/09/autism-new-over-diagnosis.html
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