Why Is Autism Increasing So Quickly?

Due to an increase in awareness, we are more informed about Autism.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that affects the ability of a person to interact socially. The brain of a person with autism does not process sounds, sights and smells like an average person’s brain. People with autism often struggle with expression of emotions. They often have difficulties in speech, anger issues and certain repetitive behaviours.

We should ask ourselves, is the rate of autism increasing or the awareness of autism is increasing? Advances in diagnostic capabilities and greater understanding and awareness of autism spectrum disorder seem to be largely driving the increase. However, there’s probably more to the story: There is not just one cause of ASD. There are many different factors that have been identified that may make a child more likely to have ASD, including environmental, biological, and genetic factors.

With a greater understanding of autism, some factors that contribute to the increasing rate are firstly extensive screening available for children between 18 to 24 months. This means that more children are now being screened for autism than before, leading to diagnosis of those children who would have otherwise slipped under the radar. In addition, mild cases of autism were picked up by doctors, which would have otherwise been missed (Lord et al., 2006). Secondly, parents are more informed of the signs to look out for and seek professional help. Parents actively ask paediatricians to screen their children if they suspect their child is not following the normal developmental pattern  (Lord et al., 2006). Thirdly, there is better access to health care. Improved access to healthcare facilities has improved the detection of autism and increased overall prevalence  (Lord et al, 2006). Lastly, broadened criteria for diagnosis – the older versions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) did not allow children to be diagnosed with both autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The DSM-5 version, which is a more recent one (2013), allows multiple diagnoses and we now use the term autism spectrum disorders (ASD) when the child falls in the spectrum ranging from mild, moderate & severe (Neggers, 2014).

Other factors that can contribute to the increase of autism are 

1. Experiencing complications at birth, increasing age of parents is an important factor that increases the chances of autism in the baby.

2. Exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, consumption of certain drugs during pregnancy (antiepileptics and antidepressants).

3. Certain maternal infections during pregnancy and alcohol consumption in pregnancy may be other reasons why we have greater incidences of babies born with autism (Kinney, 2010). 

4. Having certain genetic or chromosomal conditions, such as fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis (Chaste, & Leboyer, 2012). 

What are the available treatment options for patients with autism?

The goal of treatment of patients with autism is to reduce symptoms and rehabilitate them socially (Hyman et al, 2020).

Some options are 

1. Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is usually followed in schools and clinics. It helps children learn about positive behaviours and reduces negative ones. 

2. Early intervention program (EIP): It is meant to support children’s emotional and intellectual growth by helping them learn how to exhibit social skills. 

3. Occupational therapy: This helps children stretch, develop fine motor skills, and perform eye exercises and learn to deal with sensory information (Handleman & Harris, 2000). 

4. Medications: There is currently no medication to treat autism. Some medicines can help with related symptoms such as depression, seizures, insomnia and impulsiveness. These may be prescribed on an individual basis by the doctor after a thorough medical evaluation.

Written by Anika

References 

Smith, J. (2022). Stressed parent working at home [Photograph]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/1234567

Chaste, P., & Leboyer, M. (2012). Autism risk factors: genes, environment, and gene-environment interactions. Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 14(3), 281-292.

Environmental risk factors for autism: do they help cause de novo genetic mutations that contribute to the disorder?. Medical hypotheses, 74(1), 102-106.

Handleman, J.S., & Harris, S., eds. Preschool Education Programs for Children with Autism (2nd ed). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed. 2000.

Hyman, S.L., Levy, S.E., Myers, S.M., & AAP Council on Children with Disabilities, Section on developmental and behavioral pediatrics. (2020). Identification, evaluation, and management of children with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics, 145(1), e20193447.

Lord, C., Risi, S., DiLavore, P. S., Shulman, C., Thurm, A., & Pickles, A. Autism from 2 to 9 years of age. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006 Jun;63(6):694-701.

Kinney, D. K., Barch, D. H., Chayka, B., Napoleon, S., & Munir, K. M. (2010). Environmental risk factors for autism: do they help cause de novo genetic mutations that contribute to the disorder?. Medical hypotheses, 74(1), 102-106.

National Research Council. Educating Children with Autism. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2001.

Neggers, Y. H. (2014). Increasing prevalence, changes in diagnostic criteria, and nutritional risk factors for autism spectrum disorders. International Scholarly Research Notices, 2014.