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Is There Really an Autism Epidemic Or Is It Getting More Noticed? A Closer Look at the Statistics

9th October 2020

Do you know about the “Worldwide Autism Epidemic”? Even though Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is now extensively conversed in media as well as in society, still a huge number of people are obstructed with the big and basic questions about the ASD. These questions include:
 

• What is autism?
• How do we identify it?
• Is it curable?
• Why have debates over autism developed more prevalent in recent years?

and Many More…

Moreover, if we are in the middle of an epidemic of autism, then with a bit of snooping and awareness with the online autism course, we could reduce the issue with time. Eventually, we will be able to thwart even more children from suffering from the autism spectrum disorder. The autism spectrum disorder diagnosis increases several bioethical concerns for individuals plus society. The rising number of practicing the different genetic testing in minor ASD advances some crucial ethical interrogations because of its ambiguous scientific legitimacy with limited clinical helpfulness.

What’s the Fact Behind All of these Questionings?

Well, we cannot deny the fact that the real growth in the number of individuals with the ASD cannot be ruled out. Nowadays, more than ever before, persons are being diagnosed with ASD. Till now it is not well-proved that accurately how much of this growth has happened due to a bigger definition of ASD as well as better efforts in the diagnosis process. Well, due to a combination of both these things, the upsurge in the analysis of ASD has happened. The fact is ASD is more collective than people assumed earlier, in fact, this should be considered as an imperative public health apprehension.

(Ref: https://bit.ly/2FeeRWl)

Well, previous to the 1990s, the number of kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder in different school systems was zero, according to federal data. This is not because it wasn’t there, but because it was not considered as a diagnosable condition, as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The children with ASD were categorized as something else typically, like emotionally disturbed. Today, ASD includes minor forms as well, known as the Asperger's syndrome. The initiation of the autism considerations accords with the passage of IDEA. With time and awareness, numerous school districts are allocating definite special educational services solely for the children with an autistic spectrum disorder. Along with that, now parents can also actively get an ASD diagnosis for their child.

Now the question arises, with all the possible data to the justification for the increase in the prevalence of ASD among the children, why there are so many arguments regarding the epidemic of ASD? Well, the ill-fated fact is we don’t have any way to measure the incidence of ASD till now, however, people can argue that it may happen maybe because of different kinds of the birth-related faults, emotional outcoming, or perhaps different infectious diseases. Till now, it is not possible to stand in a delivery room and count the ratio of ASD babies being born.

But the epidemic? No proof yet!

If that is so, then why the idea of an ASD epidemic is getting so popular?

Before we answer this question, let us get some background knowledge. Autism is a type of special needs that first appears in the early stages of a child. People with autism are considered by some serious problems with etymological developments, social connection as well as resourcefulness. People with autism usually suffer from stern communication problems, and some are mute even. They generally do not form close relationships with others and prefer to endure in their own psychological worlds. Most of the time, they engage in extremely fixed and repetitive actions with reduced eye contact, lack of response to their name. Moreover, they suddenly become quiet or aggressive or lose language skills which they've already learned.

The causes of autism remain inexplicable still here are some of them:

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), both genetics and environment may determine whether a person develops autism.

Now…let’s explore the answer to the question! Well, the reasons behind the popular-epidemic can be ignorance, terror, and lack of awareness, etc. that lie at the root of the problem. Moreover, most people don’t usually study medical statistics as well. Alternatively, some people seek to blame others! Even if the frequency of ASD has increased, the dominance of the special need certainly is because of the development of diagnostic measures as well as improved case finding practically. These comprise of greater attentiveness on the part of parents, pediatricians and educators.

Well, one of the paramount controversies in autism spectrum disorder is vaccines, especially mercury-containing ones, contribute to this enlargement in frequency. Conversely, there is no truthful confirmation to upkeep this claim. Undoubtedly, it is true that vaccinations moderate childhood disease as well as mortality, thus vaccinations should not be withdrawn due to anxiety of connection to autism. Also, avoiding the different childhood vaccinations can place a child in danger of catching some serious diseases like whooping cough (pertussis), measles or mumps, etc.
 

Categorically, there's no approach or way to stop the autism spectrum disorder, however, there are types of specific treatment options. Early diagnosis and intervention, accompanied with teachers/ care-givers who have pursued an online autism course is the most supportive approach that can improve behavioral skills as well as language development of the children. The sooner a child is diagnosed, the better the outlook of the child will be.

Written By: Aditi Ghose