Why Have The Number Of Autistic Cases Risen So Drastically?

Health care professionals and researchers are still uncertain as to why the number of cases of autism has risen so sharply. Before it was believed that around 5 in 10,000 people were affect by autism, but recent studies have now shown that this figure is actually much higher. In fact, it is now thought that as many as one in every 100/200 people is affected by the condition. In the US alone it was reported that there was an increase of 3,000 cases in the year 2002 alone. Read on to find out the possible reasons behind this unexpected rise in reported autism cases.

There are two possible reasons for this shape rise, the first of which is that the incidence of autism has risen. This simply means that more and more people are suffering from the condition each and every year. The cause of the autism is still unknown, but there are a number of factors that can increase the risk of autism, such as birth complications and parenting children at older ages. It is thought that these risk factors, and other unknown factors may be the key to this sudden increase. [1]

The second possible reason for this growing figure, is thought to be the improved diagnosis of the condition. Very little was know about autism in earlier years, and many parents were unaware that the condition even existed. This caused many cases to be written off as behavioural problems instead, or often being misdiagnosed as a learning difficulty or disability. Many adults have now been diagnosed with the condition, because their symptoms were overlooked during their childhood years. Because so many cases were misdiagnosed, or completely missed by doctors and health care professionals, the number of cases reported would have therefore been far less. Fortunately, more and more people are aware of autism and the most common signs and symptoms of these condition types, which makes parents far more likely to be in the know, and to ask for a diagnosis.

In addition, far more research has now been carried out by doctors, and the condition has become much easier for people to spot quickly. There are a number of common signs associated with autism that parents can spot too. This improved awareness of autism is helping sufferers get proper diagnosis, but this is thought to be the main cause of the sudden rise.

But, unfortunately many cases continue to be missed and misdiagnosed, because there is no one definite test to prove the condition. Those with less severe forms of autism are much harder to spot, and it's thought that there may be many more sufferers out there that are yet to be reported.

All of this information makes it increasingly difficult to work out if there has in fact been an increase in the number or sufferers, or whether the lack of research facts and figures are the real cause. Until researchers are able to work out exact numbers, it will always remain difficult to judge the reason behind this rise in autistic cases. [2 & 3]

References -

1 - Autism 'more common than thought' – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5174144.stm. Accessed Sept 10, 2009.

2 - Autism: study finds 12-fold rise in cases – http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/autism-study-finds-12fold-rise-in-cases-1692556.html. Accessed Sept 10, 2009.

3 - California's rise in autism cases – http://www.news-medical.net/news/2009/01/09/44857.aspx. Accessed Sept 10, 2009.