What is Autism and WHY do so many children have it now?

Question

In short, could someone please tell me what autism is and why there are so many kids that are being diagnosed with this disorder? Is it just an answer doctors give because they don't have any idea what is wrong.....

I just don't get it and what the difference in stages are...I'm starting to believe its just a lie...kind of like every other diagnosis these days.

Answer 1

autism is an excuse of bad parenting in most cases. it is an excuse for parents and doctors that do not no how to raise children and dont want to blame themselves.

Answer 2

Basically Autism is problems in social interaction and communication and the presence of unusual behaviors and interests.  The truth is there are not more cases of Autism.  The reason that there are more kids "diagnosed" with autism is that the criteria for the diagnosis has changed.  Many people that were diagnosed as "mentally retarded" would now be diagnosed as autistic.  So, these kids are now lumped into the "Autistic Spectrum Disorder."  Many physicians that do not specialize in autism or behavioral issues are quick to diagnose autism.  This is the exact same problem why ADD/ADHD appears to be on the rise...There are criteria that must be met before a diagnosis of Autism can be made...If you have ANY doubt, please, please, please, get a second opinion with a specialist.

Check out these websites:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/

http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.h...

(the uptodate site is the latest in all things medical that physicians use, this is the patient version)

Sincerely,

Doc

Answer 3

My cousin has Autism, all i know about it is you are born with it and as you grow older, in a certain school area, lets say math (figuring out numbers) and reading (being able to read0 you will be able to do it very quickly.

My cousin is entering the 4th grade and if u tell him your age, literally, immedietally he can figure out when u were born. My cousin also, when he was entering 2nd or 1rst grade (no joke) he was able to read a Harry Potter book out loud.. he might not know what was going on but he was able to read pretty well...

If it sounds like i am bragging, i am not, in most austistic children, the excell in 1, 2, or maybe even 3 areas. The other areas may be very hard for the children.

i  think most children have it (this may not be completely true) because it is a slight birth defect. This may not be true.. but it is possible...

But i understand why u would think they are lying because i bet not every one they diagnose with Autism actually have it. So one child can grow up all his/ hur life thinking they have Autism when they do not

Answer 4

The docs don't know for sure what it is or what causes it, and there is a lot of scientific disagreement.   Even the apparent increase in autism is debated since few doctors recognized autism several decades ago, and its possible that the increase in autism is due to the increase in the recognition and acceptance by doctors that this is a definable condition.  

All you can do in this type of situation is to keep an open mind to all the conflicting information and recognize that all or none of the information may be correct, and the truth is probably somewhere in between.

Answer 5

Why?

Look in the real world.

Luke 6.39-40,41-45,46-49

Women are sensitive to chemical reaction?

Leviticus 19.19

In food consumption?

Leviticus 17. 12-14

Why science and mathematics could not trace or solve the misery out there?

Luke 4.23

When living human kind being created as positive and negative in time?

Genesis 5.1-3

Luke 9.25,55-56,60

What do you think?

Answer 6

Not exactly sure, my brother has it(adopted) and most books say it's a reaction to immuniziations.  The Pediatritian hasnt really said just focuses on how to care for him. But I do know it's not something you are born with.  

Answer 7

autism is in 1 in every 150 children and symptoms of it are being quiet (as in not commuicating) doing the same thing over and over with a toy, and seeming uninterested. i'm sorry but that's all i know...

Answer 8

THe truth nobody knows.My son is three and was diagnosed 3 weeks ago. I knew something was up when he was 18 months old. Its not a lie THe truth is nobdy knows for sure. I personally dont beleive it was from the vaccines. Im not sure were it came from it just happens and i love my son very much and you know what it part of him and he is in therepy and preschool and hes doing good. so Take it for what you want unless youve experienced it first hand dont make judgements.

Answer 9

Autism Spectrum Disorder is the term used to describe a group of pervasive developmental disorders with core impairments in social relationships and communication, with affected people showing a restricted repertoire of activity and interests and impaired communication skills. A diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder is given if, as a result of a comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessment, the child/adult shows a pattern of behaviour with characteristics from each of these core impairment areas.

     Believe me I know how easy it is to dismiss something you don't know enough about. I used to think ADHD was just a term invented for kids who could do with some more disciplined parenting - until I saw a kid who was SEVERELY affected and recognised the difference. Because autism is a spectrum, there are some who show very few outward signs and you might never guess while at the other end of the spectrum there are people who have such severe symptoms you can tell right away there's something very different about them. Doctors have very specific diagnostic criteria. They can't just say to themselves, "Well, I can't work it out so I'll call it autism." A lot of tests are usually done prior to a diagnosis of autism in order to rule out other possibilities and then if the Dr. thinks it might be autism, they have to do a lot more investigating and get other professionals involved to make sure the person fits the specific criteria for autism, Asperger's or PDD-NOS. The "bad parenting" (or more specifically "refrigerator mother") theories about autism were conclusively debunked decades ago. Although there is as yet no known cause, what IS known is that it's so d**n real, rather than calling it a 'mental illness' or the like, it is considered a 'neurobiological disorder'. If you really believe what you've said here, I doubt you'll be convinced by any answers here but I would hope you do some more research and look at some of the documentary footage available. That way you'll get to see examples of people from all points on the spectrum and perhaps get a better understanding. Autism is real and the numbers are growing, so it's only a matter of time before someone you know or someone you meet will have first hand experience.