CNN report -- Autism: Could high U.S. rate be due to over-diagnosis?

[Anonymous]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/23/health/autism-misdiagnosis-rate/


It's good to see more mainstream media on this.



" (CNN)A report from the Center for Health Statistics finds that 13% of children who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders lose their diagnosis after later tests. The study, which uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the first to look at a large, nationally representative sample of children.

One in 68 children in the United States are believed to have an autism spectrum disorder, a 30% increase from earlier estimates; in 2012 it was believed 1 in 88 children were on the spectrum, the CDC says. The diagnosis reversals are important to note for scientists who have puzzled over why there is such a big increase in the number of cases.

Researchers say some children who are given the autism label may in fact be struggling with other challenges, such as developmental delays or attention issues. Of the parents who were surveyed about the reversed diagnoses, about 74% thought the reversals were due to new information, meaning their child started to show developmentally appropriate social skills or language abilities, as opposed to a child being "cured."

[Anonymous]

and could over-diagnosis of "autism" be due to parents needing particular wording in order to get free supports from public schools? wording like ... "autism" ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and could over-diagnosis of "autism" be due to parents needing particular wording in order to get free supports from public schools? wording like ... "autism" ?

This is definitely part of it. Autism diagnosis often opens up a lot more insurance-paid therapies, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/23/health/autism-misdiagnosis-rate/


It's good to see more mainstream media on this.



" (CNN)A report from the Center for Health Statistics finds that 13% of children who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders lose their diagnosis after later tests. The study, which uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the first to look at a large, nationally representative sample of children.

One in 68 children in the United States are believed to have an autism spectrum disorder, a 30% increase from earlier estimates; in 2012 it was believed 1 in 88 children were on the spectrum, the CDC says. The diagnosis reversals are important to note for scientists who have puzzled over why there is such a big increase in the number of cases.

Researchers say some children who are given the autism label may in fact be struggling with other challenges, such as developmental delays or attention issues. Of the parents who were surveyed about the reversed diagnoses, about 74% thought the reversals were due to new information, meaning their child started to show developmentally appropriate social skills or language abilities, as opposed to a child being "cured."

It's interesting because I recently read a book that proposed that ADHD is over diagnosed because it's really high functioning autism. It was kind of persuasive- the author's premise was that ADHD often comes with an additional diagnosis (e.g. ODD, anxiety, learning disabilities, etc.) when the whole shebang could be wrapped into and better explained by an autism diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:and could over-diagnosis of "autism" be due to parents needing particular wording in order to get free supports from public schools? wording like ... "autism" ?

Or to explain away difficult children perhaps?

I do find it curious that the US seems to have one of the highest diagnosis of autism compared to other countries. Yes, I know some countries are bad about diagnosing SN, but we seem to over diagnose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/23/health/autism-misdiagnosis-rate/


It's good to see more mainstream media on this.



" (CNN)A report from the Center for Health Statistics finds that 13% of children who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders lose their diagnosis after later tests. The study, which uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the first to look at a large, nationally representative sample of children.

One in 68 children in the United States are believed to have an autism spectrum disorder, a 30% increase from earlier estimates; in 2012 it was believed 1 in 88 children were on the spectrum, the CDC says. The diagnosis reversals are important to note for scientists who have puzzled over why there is such a big increase in the number of cases.

Researchers say some children who are given the autism label may in fact be struggling with other challenges, such as developmental delays or attention issues. Of the parents who were surveyed about the reversed diagnoses, about 74% thought the reversals were due to new information, meaning their child started to show developmentally appropriate social skills or language abilities, as opposed to a child being "cured."

It's interesting because I recently read a book that proposed that ADHD is over diagnosed because it's really high functioning autism. It was kind of persuasive- the author's premise was that ADHD often comes with an additional diagnosis (e.g. ODD, anxiety, learning disabilities, etc.) when the whole shebang could be wrapped into and better explained by an autism diagnosis.

Well, my DS has both ASD( Asperger's) and ADHD, combined type, with disorder of written expression (specific learning disability) thrown in. All diagnosed through a full Neuropsych evaluation with Dr Black. He has had an IEP since prek4 now in 3rd. He is fully mainstreamed at a language immersion charter and very glad he has an IEP even though he tests above grade level academically across the board. He would not be able to access the curriculum without the supports and services he has even though he has a very high IQ. Also, most of his supports deal with behavioral and social communication issues and makes school a happy and enjoyable experience. He has friends, participates and likes school.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/23/health/autism-misdiagnosis-rate/

It's good to see more mainstream media on this.

Wow, you're really out of the loop. The mainstream media isn't "on this." The report came out over a year ago:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/27/health/cdc-autism/

The "rise" in autism is tied to the 1973 FAPE legislation:
https://www.ted.com/talks/wendy_chung_autism_what_we_know_and_what_we_don_t_know_yet?language=en

We also get it. Please get over your kid's diagnosis or misdiagnosis. So no need to post pointless links.

[Anonymous]

This? This right here is why 1 in 68 kids have "autism" now in the US. But not in Canada or Germany or any other industrialized wealthy nation.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This? This right here is why 1 in 68 kids have "autism" now in the US. But not in Canada or Germany or any other industrialized wealthy nation.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

Maybe because the USA has a higher standard for children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This? This right here is why 1 in 68 kids have "autism" now in the US. But not in Canada or Germany or any other industrialized wealthy nation.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

And all parents of school aged children should care because providing supports is expensive, and pretty much all districts are suffering from massive budget cuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This? This right here is why 1 in 68 kids have "autism" now in the US. But not in Canada or Germany or any other industrialized wealthy nation.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

Maybe because the USA has a higher standard for children.

You think we have more higher standards than most of Western Europe and Canada and Australia? No. If we did, we'd have way more social services. We do, however, have a system where a parent can sue the school district to push for services. In some ways, that's a good thing, obviously. But, certainly, there are wealthy parents that have the means to abuse the system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This? This right here is why 1 in 68 kids have "autism" now in the US. But not in Canada or Germany or any other industrialized wealthy nation.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

Maybe because the USA has a higher standard for children.

You think we have more higher standards than most of Western Europe and Canada and Australia? No. If we did, we'd have way more social services. We do, however, have a system where a parent can sue the school district to push for services. In some ways, that's a good thing, obviously. But, certainly, there are wealthy parents that have the means to abuse the system.

The other countries are not leaders of the world

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/23/health/autism-misdiagnosis-rate/


It's good to see more mainstream media on this.



" (CNN)A report from the Center for Health Statistics finds that 13% of children who were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders lose their diagnosis after later tests. The study, which uses data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the first to look at a large, nationally representative sample of children.

One in 68 children in the United States are believed to have an autism spectrum disorder, a 30% increase from earlier estimates; in 2012 it was believed 1 in 88 children were on the spectrum, the CDC says. The diagnosis reversals are important to note for scientists who have puzzled over why there is such a big increase in the number of cases.

Researchers say some children who are given the autism label may in fact be struggling with other challenges, such as developmental delays or attention issues. Of the parents who were surveyed about the reversed diagnoses, about 74% thought the reversals were due to new information, meaning their child started to show developmentally appropriate social skills or language abilities, as opposed to a child being "cured."

I think this is the key part. Yes, perhaps ASD is overdiagnosed, but that's not the same thing as saying these kids are fine and have just been needlessly slapped with a label. These children typically do have some sort of developmental delay or disability, and the same therapies that are used to treat ASD are helpful to treat their delays/disabilities. So yes, let's do more research to figure out the proper contours of ASD and figure out what else is going on with kids to cause similar symptoms, but let's not pretend this means that NT children are being slapped with ASD diagnoses left and right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This? This right here is why 1 in 68 kids have "autism" now in the US. But not in Canada or Germany or any other industrialized wealthy nation.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

Maybe because the USA has a higher standard for children.

You think we have more higher standards than most of Western Europe and Canada and Australia? No. If we did, we'd have way more social services. We do, however, have a system where a parent can sue the school district to push for services. In some ways, that's a good thing, obviously. But, certainly, there are wealthy parents that have the means to abuse the system.

The other countries are not leaders of the world

Oh, please! We are not leaders of education. Quite the opposite, in fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This? This right here is why 1 in 68 kids have "autism" now in the US. But not in Canada or Germany or any other industrialized wealthy nation.

I could care less if ASD is over diagnosed as long as these kids are getting the help they need.

Maybe because the USA has a higher standard for children.

You think we have more higher standards than most of Western Europe and Canada and Australia? No. If we did, we'd have way more social services. We do, however, have a system where a parent can sue the school district to push for services. In some ways, that's a good thing, obviously. But, certainly, there are wealthy parents that have the means to abuse the system.

You think there is an epidemic of wealthy parents suing the school systems to get their non-autistic children autism services?