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Why Autism Cases Have Risen so Much Since the ‘90s — and 3 Common Myths to Ignore
New York Post ^ | May 12, 2025 | Dr. Rebecca A. Shalev and Dr. Kritika Nayar

Posted on 05/12/2025 1:22:05 PM PDT by nickcarraway

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, has been a topic in the news a lot recently, yet the complex neurological condition remains widely misunderstood.

Autism is a difference in how someone’s brain works that shapes how they interact with the world. Clinically, it’s a disorder that affects brain development and causes social communication and behavioral differences. With such a wide range of traits, autism truly is a spectrum. Gaining a deeper understanding of these nuances is key. We address some common myths and offer guidance on supporting children and families after a diagnosis.

What causes autism?

There is no single known cause of autism. Given its complexity and the wide range of symptoms, it’s likely that multiple factors contribute. This neurodevelopmental difference is something children are born with — it has nothing to do with parenting style, vaccines or foods.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Health/Medicine; Science
KEYWORDS: autism; thespectrum
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1 posted on 05/12/2025 1:22:05 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway
"The rise is largely due to greater awareness, improved screening and updated diagnostic criteria."

Pure BS!

2 posted on 05/12/2025 1:25:50 PM PDT by G Larry (Its RACIST to impose slave wages on LEGAL immigrants and minorities by importing cheap ILLEGAL labor)
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To: nickcarraway

Once again the me medical “experts” have no clue but still expect everyone to defer to them.


3 posted on 05/12/2025 1:28:35 PM PDT by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
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To: nickcarraway

Two psychology bozettes carrying the pharma water.


4 posted on 05/12/2025 1:29:58 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: G Larry

Well, one contributing factor is that now it’s cool to be autistic and/or neurodivergent, so people want to claim they are autistic.


5 posted on 05/12/2025 1:31:21 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

I don’t want to say its vaccines but.....


6 posted on 05/12/2025 1:36:31 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: nickcarraway

i thought the definition had been broaden to qualify more kids for additional attention in school

which means more money


7 posted on 05/12/2025 1:37:09 PM PDT by joshua c
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To: nickcarraway

I don’t understand people who want to claim a medical/mental disorder.


8 posted on 05/12/2025 1:37:21 PM PDT by BipolarBob (AA told me to quit hanging around drunks. So I quit going to AA, cuz that's where they were.)
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To: nickcarraway

Two, there’s extra money for schools that have special needs kids.


9 posted on 05/12/2025 1:37:47 PM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: joshua c

Beat me to it. 🙂


10 posted on 05/12/2025 1:38:51 PM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: Georgia Girl 2; nickcarraway; Chode

That and have you noticed as the more corporal punishment was banned the more cases of autism have gone up?


11 posted on 05/12/2025 1:39:12 PM PDT by Morgana ( “Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” — Alice Paul 🇺🇸 🇷🇺 )
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To: nickcarraway

Have autism cases increased or are more cases being diagnosed so that the parents can get Federal assistance?


12 posted on 05/12/2025 1:41:21 PM PDT by murron
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To: nickcarraway

Plain old birth defect (but why rising?)

-older parents
-vaccine reactions way more shots
-indulgent parenting
-neglectful parenting (screens, daycare)
-increase in diagnosis due to being cool and getting funds
-and my number one suspicion: psych meds used by the parents before or during pregnancy. Dad as well as mom.


13 posted on 05/12/2025 1:43:21 PM PDT by Persevero (You cannot comply your way out of tyranny. )
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To: nickcarraway

I think the authorities need to take one of two courses of action:

1) Identify a biological cause for the apparent increase: age of parent? Food additives? Vaccines? What? Find a culprit and tell people that if this one thing is modified, then the rate of autism will decrease. Put a stake in the ground and wait for some number of years to pass to see if the mandated change actually affected the rate of autism.

2) Declare that there is no real increase in anything. It’s just a matter of enhanced sensitivity and labeling. The group has been broadened because the “requirements” to be in the group have been loosened. So ... re-tighten those requirements. Make it somewhat difficult to be categorized as autistic. Some kids are autistic and have genuine special needs. And some kids are just annoying/difficult/antisocial/whatever. Let everyone know that the normal kids better straighten up because no one is going to treat them as special. Then divert all the resources to that small segment of kids who are genuinely special.


14 posted on 05/12/2025 1:44:30 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (People who receive less results for effort will naturally put in less effort when the game is rigged)
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To: G Larry

Correct. Autism has gone from being a malady principally affecting young males to one that primarily affects LGBT females in their 20’s.


15 posted on 05/12/2025 1:45:37 PM PDT by AppyPappy (If Hitler were alive today and criticized Trump, would he still be Hitler?)
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To: ClearCase_guy; joshua c
Good points, but as FReeper joshua c pointed out in comment #7, don't forget to reduce the incentive by adding a 3rd course of aciton:

3) Take away federal money that goes to raising or educating someone who is declared autistic. It's amazing how people learn to qualify for a financial benefit from Uncle Sam.

16 posted on 05/12/2025 1:48:01 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: nickcarraway

Sometimes true, statistics became better because of better recording, higher awareness, etc. But, those alone do not explain the increase in autism and why prevalence of other diseases didn’t go up


17 posted on 05/12/2025 1:51:18 PM PDT by paudio (MATH: 45<47)
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To: G Larry

Yup

Vaccines have a large role. There as so many more given now, and so many all at one time.


18 posted on 05/12/2025 1:54:57 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Morgana

*


19 posted on 05/12/2025 1:56:41 PM PDT by Chode (there is no fall back position, there's no rally point, there is no LZ... we're on our own. )
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To: nickcarraway

Peanut allergies started showing up about the same time.


20 posted on 05/12/2025 2:05:55 PM PDT by Tom Tetroxide (Psalm 146:3 "Do not trust in princes, in the Son of Man, who has no salvation.")
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