To think more people do have autism nowadays?

[malificent7]

Everyone says it's because more people are being diagosed which is true BUT I am waiiting for my assessment , my sdd ( not genetically related) has it and 2 of my close school friends have children with it severely enough so that they can't attend mainstream.
Obviously several members of my family have it as it is genetic but it does seem odd that my 2 close school friends ( who dont have asd) have children with it.

Spurious studies saying this that and the other means very little. Autism has always been around.

Yeah but when you think about it logically, of course these things are going to impact brain development. They are literal poisons.

Older paternal and maternal age has been sighted as an increased risk factor. My B and SIL, both work in same highly skilled workplace filled with academic high achievers and have noted that a seemingly high number of their peers have autistic DC's ( there's also a high number of ND, people in the workforce).
People who have spent years studying, followed by establishing their careers, have DC's later in life.
I also suspect there is a higher proportion of ND people amongst high achieving groups as it takes a certain level of focus, (maybe to the point of obsession) to get to the top. Meanwhile, NT people can get distracted by social interactions leading to fun in other areas resulting in less focus, but probably a more well-balanced life.

The word autism has become a catch-all.

Yes @Supersimkin7 it's like the new OCD. Ooh I'm a little bit OCD me. Both are very misunderstood conditions. So frustrating!

The diagnosis has been broadened and now subsumes Asperger's syndrome.

It's now considered an identity rather than a disorder, and that increases the number of recognised cases.

There is very little evidence of biological factors, though older parents are more likely to have autistic children.

National autistic society seem to think it's genetic.

I've never noticed the 'older parents' bit and I know and have seen a lot of people who have it or seem to, from "Boomers" to this gen. A lot of them have younger parents actually ranging between 16years to 28years. Neither have I read it in any reputable scientific journal or article or research.

I've only seen a few people post about it on these sort of threads and only one person irl attribute it to vaccines.

As a parent of a profoundly autistic child, I agree.

What an absolutely ridiculous post highlighting ignorance re what is involved with autism diagnosis.

I believe it's genetic and can clearly see it in my dad and adhd in my Mum

My dd is autistic. She is very low physical care needs but has literally zero executive functioning. I have to ensure she eats, Gets to her work takes her meds. Clean her room etc. She is extremely clever and her creative skills are very high. However I don't think she will ever be able to work full time without burnout. Or at least without a very understanding employer. She works part time now and is happy after having to leave school early due to burnout.

I believe getting rid of the term Asperger's was a mistake. Ok, I get the reasons but it should be replaced with another title rather than Autistic being a massive umbrella. That doesn't serve the high intellectual people or the people with profound autism.
It also enables those that are shy or socially awkward or those that have special interests or hobbies to claim they are a little autistic.

I can say for sure that nearly everyone with autism is being let down by society and our govt right now.

No it isn’t it’s a disorder:-

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, it is described as a “developmental disorder” because symptoms generally appear in the first 2 years of life.

There is plenty of evidence re it being genetic do much so it’s noted during diagnosis if you have other family members with it.

I agree with this, however I suggest that the poster was referring to how many people now 'identify' as autistic without having a diagnosis, and in many cases that seems to suffice for them to get allowances made in the workplace for example.
There is a growing push to remove the need for diagnosis, because the 'person knows themselves best' and I have seen them some referring to diagnosis as 'gatekeeping' and 'steeped in patriarchial and medical colonialism'
That is a bit out on the fringes though.
Im not sure it helps those with severe autism in any way whatsoever, and as Ive said on previous threads in this subject, the framing of all autistic experiences as wonderful runs roughshod over those for whom do not find it a blessing, and who have seious struggles

No one is a "little bit Autistic". You either have it or you don't

Most people I know with autism were desperate for a proper diagnosis procedure.

IT?

Ophelia wasn’t autistic, she was driven to severe depression by the desertion and rejection of her (probable) future husband. Rebecca was sexually voracious and selfish, but not autistic in any recognised sense. Dorrit is selfish, misguided and not as clever as he thinks he is, but he is not autistic in any recognised sense. Heracles was poisoned by a shirt and was driven ‘mad’ by pain.

Of all the characters in Shakespeare, I think Iago is the most classically ‘autistic’, in that he sees the world in a very different way from most characters, and most of the audience. His motivations are baffling to the rest of the cast. But I’m not sure that myth and classical literature are the best place to look for examples of a condition which would have been discerned rather differently.

I am waiiting for my assessment ,

Think logically here, you are an adult who would count into the 'stats' for 2024/5 diagnosis. You should have been diagnosed in XXXX year or there about. XXXX has less people diagnosed than 2024. You were however still autistic in XXXX year.

@HeBeaverandSheBeaver i wish they’d kept the Asperger’s distinction too. I have a diagnosis of ASD but do not consider myself a disabled by it, I just need longer to process social situations and work through my emotions.

My son also has ASD and doesn’t speak at all, needs 2:1 trained carers or nurses just to keep him and others safe. As an adult he will never have legal capacity or live independently.

I know it’s a spectrum disorder but I think Asperger’s was useful to differentiate the type and level of need and care required.

I have heard an interesting theory that it's partly that more people with autism are meeting one another and having kids in the past. For example, in the distant past, a son with mildly autistic features might have been packed off to the monastery and not had kids. In the 21st century said son might work in the tech industry and meet a woman on the autism spectrum.

My dd is verbal and has GCSE’s,she is very much disabled by it hence her enhanced PIP and being under services for several years. My dd can’t work through her emotions.

Yeah same. Maybe you misunderstood what I put.

Out of dd primary yeargroup now age 13 of 60 there are 6+ asd or awaiting asd diagnosis so upwards of 10%.

Of those
1 was severe - boy nappies at 5. Moved to special school at 5. Older parents 35-40+
1 child who struggled behaviourally from nursery. Presents more adhd (diagnosed age 10). Moved to sen secondary. Very young parents
1 girl private diagnosis age 12 again presents more adhd has several close friends. Late 30s parents.
1 boy private diagnosis asd/adhd hes shy but popular. Under 30 parents.
1 boy on waitlist over 2 yrs. Mainly anxious. Some rigidity. Not socially motivated. Late 30s parents.
1 girl struggled from nursery behaviour issues, great early speech, lots of sensory issues. Again issues more adhd related at school. But also worst affected socially aside from the most severe child. Waitlist 18m. Early 30s parents but icsi.
Siblings i know in other local school possibly medication related.

4/6 more high functioning/aspergers presentation.
My youngest in y3
2 children with more severe sen i assume asd. Boy and girl. The girl left to sen school. Both were largely out of class.
There are also 1-2 girls with sen /severe anxiety. Plus my dc2 with is likely asd and adhd. And possibly 1 boy.

I dont think the school raised any issues re any of these kids so it is all parents observing issues.
Mostly its all pretty mild at school so imo if the school were better most of these issues wouldnt have arisen.

So reception was pretty strict re sitting still. And doing the activity laid out for jyst turned 4 year olds.
no supervision of 60 kids roaming free half of the day in reception so no help with socialising. And through the rest of the school playtime lack of supervision.
Not school fault but parents become increasingly cliquey so kids friends with kids selected by parents who then meet at weekends.

Previously private school was more in reach for parents who may have sent the bright but quirky kids. Where it was more strict and a closer eye kept on behaviour.

When i was at school there was skipping or cats cradle etc at breaks so something to do other than talking.

Secondary has been a nightmare as jusr several disruotive kids per class and not great with adhd

The number of other sen or disruptive kids is making my dc behaviour worse. Some of that would hae beeb controlled by kids being worried about getting in trouble or excluded etc.

You have two things going on.

1. more of us are being diagnosed. Especially women who just flew under the radar and managed to struggle along.
2. the world now has many jobs that are very friendly to a certain type of person with ASD. We come together in university programs and at work, we date, we get married, and we make wonderful ASD children. Those children will likely follow the same pattern. It’s easier for us to be functional, successful members of society in a science and tech focused economy.