Why are so many children autistic these days?

[Superlambaanana]

I've just seen someone comment on a thread that 4 out of 5 of their DC are autistic. So many classroom assistants in every primary class. So many parents I talk to saying they have or are fighting to get a diagnosis for their DC. And yet no one I went to school with at primary or secondary level was ever diagnosed as autistic, nor did anyone do anything that suggested they were undiagnosed like hand flapping or inability to communicate normally. Various levels of intelligence and social ability obviously, but no one who was at the level of meltdowns and needing stringent routine etc. Is it environmental?

The other thing that usually isn’t considered is there are just more humans now. I’m 40. There were 5 billion or so people on the planet when I was born. Now there’s 8!

A lot of kids who were quirky, disruptive, weird, awkward, etc when we were kids would now be diagnosed with autism.

I was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. They screened me for autism too, but I didn’t have enough traits for that diagnosis. As a child I was top of the class and well behaved, but also called lazy, dramatic, difficult, stubborn, day dreamer, all for things I can’t control. I grew up thinking everyone was like me but they were just better because they could do all the things I couldn’t. It has been so damaging growing up thinking it was some moral failing on my part and not knowing it was just how my brain worked.

No in our days it wasn't, however we undiagnosed were miserable and had shit mental health!
My diagnosis of autism and ADHD in adulthood SHOULD have happened as a child!!

Neurotypes tend to find each other, even if they don't know why. I was undiagnosed autistic as a child and married another undiagnosed autistic, because we 'were on the same wavelength' and got on well. Neither of us got diagnosed until we had autistic children, and spotted the similarities.

The vast majority of people we were close friends with in school / college have either been diagnosed with some form of neurodiversity as adults, or have neurodiverse children (I suspect in some cases, they just haven't realised about themselves).

If I took the people I knew at school to be representative, then I'd think there were no neurtypicals. As a nurotypical your circle were probably also neurological, and you didn't notice/ remember the people who were different to you.

I agree with the first bit.

But not the last bit about it being harder for autistic people to cope with. I think it will be the opposite. Working from home enables some autistic people to just do their job in peace without all the office politics nonsense that they'd find difficult. University lectures are often online. Kids who find it difficult socialising IRL find it easier to find their tribe online, through gaming, or fan sites. Often they then meet up IRL. Online dating enables people to find someone like-minded. Imagine how hard it must be for an autistic person to approach someone they find attractive in a bar like they did pre-internet.

I’m sorry but I’ve heard versions of this so many times now OP & it becomes quite boring. I can’t be bothered to write a long response & I see others have done a good job of setting you straight. But I’m disappointed to see a lot of stereotypes coming up.

I think this thread is made up and will probably form the basis of the next benefit bashing theme.

Oh, sorry. Yes in some cases

I think parental age is a big factor. 30 years ago, women weren't having children into their late 40s like drug treatment now allows.

Closure of specialist schools. My mum used to teach at one. It has now closed down and all the kids are now in mainstream.

The school was in a small town (one secondary school - 200 kids per year). They had about 15 kids per year. That is an extra 7.5% of kids with SEN who are now being mainstreamed because it is —cheaper— better.

I read some theory that due to "assortative mating" there is a higher chance these days when more women attend university and do STEM subjects for example and that they may be on the spectrum themselves that they are now more likely to meet, marry and have kids with men who are also on the spectrum than in the past. Also see other sub cultures that attract higher than average amounts of people with Autism who then get together and have kids.

No idea if it is true but it is one theory.

These posts just make me 🙄

This is utter rubbish. Not everybody is on the spectrum. I thought people were better educated these days.

Yes I know I only come in to see how the uneducated interact with each other. Obviously with our asd pedigree we must lord it over the 'normal' people the odd time for our laughs dahling 😉

Another one of these threads. I guess it had been a minute. 🙄

It is more recognised now. Lots of women particularly masked through childhood trying to fit in and then suffered mental health problems in adulthood. Whether or not it is more common I don't know but both my granddaughters are ASD as is my son in law and there is a genetic link. Hopefully diagnosing early will mean they won't feel they have to try and conform although sadly the school system is set up for NT children.

This is from my experience
Both me and my brother have been diagnosed with autism as adults.
He was always classed as a naughty child.
I always masked and copied everyone’s behaviour, which is common for females. At my diagnosis they also mentioned that I may have ADHD.
2/3 of my children now have either autism or adhd, which again is common as a genetic link. If they were at school
when I went one would be class as stupid and the other naughty.
In my opinion it is not easy to get a diagnosis.

Indeed. Incoming Stereotype alert: 'Classic' (Kanner) Autism always existed. 'Asperger's' type Autism (scatty genius Professor type) always existed. 'W're all on the Spectrum' type always existed but childhoods were much more predictable, schooling much more rigid, less sensory/screen overload, diets plainer etc so it 'showed' less. Plus, more stigma, more 'special schools'. Society has changed too. If I'd been mute like my 'selectively verbal' Autistic Dd, I'd have been walloped, at School & walloped again at home. What's 'acceptable' changed.
And yes, those with Autism have more chance of having kids now too: Genes will out! (though increasingly poisoned environments & decreased nutrition in food won't help anyone ASD either).

Is ND parents find each other more easily now.

This.. it was definitely there in the 80s. They were just classed as naughty, hyper, weird, awkward, difficult.
We had no non verbal children but I assume they went to different specialist schools.

I don't think there is any solid evidence there are more autistic people now.
It can only be in most cases a benefit to have a diagnosis earlier on in life.

I was medicated as a 9yr old for anxiety and depression, I'm nearly 40 and only recently have been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism, the damaged caused by this late conclusion has caused significant and life long irreparable damage/consequences.

Looking back both my parents have neurodiversity, at least 2 siblings out of 5 and all three of my own children, 1 diagnosed 2 undergoing assessment.
There is an undeniable genetic component.

Exactly. Thankfully, there is now much more acceptance of neurodiversity. As people with autism are more integrated into society rather than being shut away or shunned, it's natural that more will find partners and have families. This means the genetic link will be spread more widely.

Imo the increase in numbers of people with autism is far beyond what could be explained just by better diagnosis. I've been a teacher for 30 years, and the increase has been huge. Yes, I taught children early in my career who I realise would nowadays be diagnosed with ASD, but still very small numbers compared with now.

We had some excellent training recently on teaching classes including ND students (which is basically every class). One of the main take-aways was that methods designed to benefit ND students actually tend to benefit all students.

I'm autistic and have ADHD and so does my husband and we procreated. That's how it happened. I can draw a diagram for you if you need, OP.

I don't have an answer.
What I do know is that the questionnaires have been the same for many, many years.

The notion that we are more aware is growing weaker as we have been very aware for decades.

There has been a substantial increase.

Seen it with my own eyes in schools.