How is autism the “fastest evolving disorder in medical science”?
Autism is referred to as “the fastest evolving disorder in medical science” by journalist and autism mother Barbara Fischkin in today’s Huffington Post. As the source of this statement, Fischkin cites an unnamed Columbia University psychiatrist who testified at a New York State Legislative hearing at an unspecified date “earlier this year.” Her post is an announcement for the “First Annual Writers on Autism” in New York to be held this Thursday, June 7, at 7p.m. at the Lifespire Education and Conference Center on the third floor of the Empire State Building; the event is free and open to the public. The writers include autistic persons (John Robison, whose memoir of growing up autistic, Look Me In the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s, will be published in the fall, and Rachel Kaplan, who learned to type using facilitated communication and is a student at Hofstra University) and also parents of autistic children, including Fischkin herself and some of the mother who appeared in the Autism Every Day video.
I find the use of the word “evolving” in regard to autism being “the fastest evolving disorder in medical science” of interest. Is the word meant in some way to refer to the belief of some (Fischkin included; the title of a non-fiction book she is writing is Dan in the World: One of the First Victims of the Autism Epidemic Grows Up, Moves On and Moves Out) that there is an epidemic of autism based on the rising prevalence of autism? Or, is the word meant in reference to how our knowledge about autism are “evolving”; are changing and growing, to the point that it seems that there is “more autism”—-are more autistic persons—because we have a much better understanding about autism is and can significantly better identify and diagnose autism?
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POSTED IN: Autism Lit, Diagnosis, Epidemic, Health, Parenting, Science
8 opinions for How is autism the “fastest evolving disorder in medical science”?
Prometheus
Jun 5, 2007 at 1:42 pm
As a biologist, I find the use of the word “evolving” in conjunction with “autism” to be particularly apt.
“Autism” - however it may be defined - is very different now than it was even a few decades ago. It has “evolved”, changed, mutated and morphed into a “diagnosis” that is so broad as to include nearly anyone. It has “educational” versions, “medical” versions and even political versions - all different in critical ways, but all increasingly meaningless.
I would agree with the statement (”Autism is the fastest evolving disorder in medical history”) if not the intended meaning.
The diagnostic criteria of autism have changed and loosened so much in the fast years that there is no way we can truly know how much the prevalence has increased, or even IF it has increased.
In short, “autism”, as a diagnosis, is rapidly becoming a useless term; signifying nothing and giving no prognosis, treatment or cause.
Prometheus
Big White Hat
Jun 5, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Because it sounds good. That is the only reason why.
AspergerYogi
Jun 5, 2007 at 3:08 pm
It’s on the increase because more ’special ones’ are required from a cosmic or spiritual standpoint. At this time, the end of the age of kali Yuga or Pisces, where men are weak, materialistic and lacking in spiritual aspirations, more and more people are being brought into the world who are unconcerned with such petty persuits such that the current illusionary sheath of consensus reality may be more easily shed, thus ushering us into a new, more enlightened age.
The most severely autistic people are more important than you could possibly imagine.
laurentius-rex
Jun 5, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Well as my DVD says, “whichever way you look at it’ it’s still autism”
The fact that autism’s definition has been shifting over the years is hardly news, the same goes for practically every condition in subsequent editions of the DSM since it came out.
The fastest evolving disorders of all are the newly minted ones, from zero prevelance before they have been described to the first person so diagnosed, a prevalance of one, the growth is infinite in percentage terms.
Incedentally Prometheus, would you join with Lenny Schafer in redefining autism according to his paradigms ?
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 5, 2007 at 5:24 pm
It might be interesting to chart the prevalence of sensory processing disorder in light of this, should it be included in the DSM.
Ballastexistenz
Jun 5, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Given that “sensory processing disorder” is probably a misnomer for what we actually experience, I hope not.
Daisy
Jun 5, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Is autism evolving, or is society’s perception of autism evolving? The definition has broadened, certainly, but has autism itself changed?
ELLEN KLEINERT-COHN
Aug 15, 2007 at 11:28 pm
I find this all quite interesting. I am the director of the first special needs color guard & dance program in the world….comprised of individuals with varied developmental disabilities, primarily Autism (various levels on the spectrum) These are some of the most amazing, phenomenally talented, capable young adults you can imagine. I think that more is known about Autism than years past & more people are being diagnosed with this neurological brain disorder. It used to be that if you read down a list & you met “most of the criteria for Autism” that was it……you are Autistic. These days it just takes perhaps one of those criteria to be considered some level on the spectrum or perhaps having Asperger’s Syndrome. It is truly an interesting phenomena. My son is now 26 years old & he started out as being diagnosed as “minimal brain disfunction”, then on to “Pervasive Developmental Delays with Seizure Disorder (now under control) then we went on to “Autistic Spectrum Disorder” then it progressed to “Asperger’s Syndrome.” So, what does this all mean? Not too much to me. He is who he is. A fabulously interesting, special, handsome, caring, kind, good-natured, well loved young man
& he knows just about everything imaginable about every sports figure in history, statistics having to do with sports, etc. We all know how these children & young adults have a tendency to show extreme knowledge in one particular area of interest. (Long ago we would say…they are “savant.”) All just labels…bottom line here is that the world Autism has evolved into something with many meaning, many symptoms, many characteristic, etc. Actually, it is getting to be quite “fashionable” to be touched by Autism in some way or another. It makes for excellent conversation. Society is becoming more interested…good thing….perhaps compassion will come along with that, as well. It is tough & challenging to say the least. Do I believe there is a “CURE” for Autism? Not really. I like to think positive, but also to be realistic. I think to say there is a “CURE” and to wait around for it is foolish. I truly believe there are many modalities available to enhance & better the lives of those with various levels of Autism on the spectrum. Medication is definitely not always the answer. I am involved with Sparks of Genius, which is computerized cognitive therapy. Through various computer programs designed for each individual person & designed to tap into different areas of the brain where deficits are present, individuals are improving to an fabulously successful level. (New neuro networks are coming together to make a true positive difference over time. I have seen it on my son. He is able to carry on conversations, which he never was able to do. (Only about sports) He is sharper, more willing to listen, focused & understands so much more of what is going on. So, there are many modalities, which can improve the lives of those with some form of Autism.
What really gets to me is that all of a sudden people like Bill Crosby decides he is going to jump on the bandwagon to let the world know that Autism exists because his friend Toni Braxton has an Autistic child. Autism has existed long before he decided to make this his latest cause. (Pretty sad)
Yes, I believe that the definition of autism has broadened, as there are definitely various levels of such……but the important point is getting the help your loved ones need at whatever level they are at. Autism can no longer be viewed as an individual “rocking back & forth” and that is it. Autism awareness is important…bottom line….our goal is to help these very special children & young adults fulfill their dreams & live up to THEIR OWN Maximum potential, whatever their individual situation is. Can they be helped….ABSOLUTELY…..Can they improve…..ABSOLUTELY…… Can they compensate for some of their deficits and excel in other areas…ABSOLUTELY….Is there a Complete Cure…..no I don’t believe so…..and that’s OK…..live for now…take one day at a time…be realistic…..you are all on a very exciting journey that you have been chosen for….it is what it is….sure we would like it to be different for our loved one….their lives would be so much easier, my G–D it is what we would have liked to see…..but take what you have, put a positive spin on it & realize how truly special your loved one with Autism is. Work with it….the rewards are incomprehensible for both you & your loved one.
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