What used to be 1 in over 100 is now 1 in every 59 children being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. More research has expanded knowledge and ways to pick out signs in children. It is still difficult to know exactly why it occurs in some children since we cannot simply take a blood test to determine whether or not someone has autism. There are a lot of different factors as to why it has become more popular and is being diagnosed more today. A combination of more information and biological and environmental risk components all contribute to the growing population.
It was not until 1980 that autism was considered its own disorder. Before this, various other syndromes such as Asperger's syndrome and Kanner's syndrome were classified as different disorders, but due to a lot of research, we now know that both of these syndromes fall under the autism spectrum disorder. The term "autism spectrum disorder" or "ASD" was created in 2013, when we realized that people with autism fall under a spectrum since there are so many varying aspects that make each diagnosis unique. However, previous to ASD and Asperger's and Kanner's syndromes, symptoms of autism were linked with schizophrenia. They linked autism with extreme social withdrawal which was a common symptom of psychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia, ("History of Autism Treatment"). Although autism has changed throughout the years due to so much research, there is still so much we don't know, such as how it is caused.
Some causation theories for autism included lack of social and emotional development due to uncaring mothers. This theory developed before we knew autism was hereditary and influenced by genetic and environmental factors. To solve this problem, kids with autism were removed from their families in order to reverse the effects on children being around unloving parents. In addition, holding therapy was another way to treat kids who grew up with uncaring mothers. This involved the mother or father restraining their child in a room in order to force eye contact to improve the relationship to one another. However, there was no evidence to prove that either one of these treatments actually provided positive outcomes and it was not confirmed that autism stems from unloving relationships. Soon after this, Temple Grandin, a woman diagnosed with high-functioning autism, created a squeeze machine that put pressure on her body rather than having contact with another human. Although it has not been proven to cure any symptoms of autism, it is a safe way to allow people with autism to feel held, ("History of Autism Treatment").
Due to a study performed by Susan Folstein and Sir Michael Rutter in 1977, we do know genetics can influence the chances of having children with ASD. Their study involved testing twins where they concluded that if one twin has autism, there is a 36% chance the identical twin has autism. From this study, they determined that autism does have a hereditary component. ("History of Autism Treatment"). In addition to genetics, more research has found that the toxins in our environment could influence a more prevalent diagnosis. According to Autism Speaks, "prenatal exposure to the chemicals thalidomide and valproic acid has been linked to increased risk of autism," ("Autism Speaks").
Today, we are able to diagnose autism more carefully due to the significant amount of research that has been done and continues to be done. Because we know more and are more confident in what the disorder entails, more children are being diagnosed with it today.
Work Cited:
“History of Autism Treatment.” Applied Behavior Analysis Programs Guide, 2018, www.appliedbehavioranalysisprograms.com/history-autism-treatment/#chapter2.
“Autism Speaks.” Autism Speaks, www.autismspeaks.org/.
