In recent times, both Former President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have made a commitment to address what they perceive as a growing menace to the youth of America. According to these figures, there has been a significant increase in the occurrence of autism, skyrocketing from one in every 10,000 children in the 1980s to one in 36 children today. A fresh investigation is being called for, under the guidance of Kennedy, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, with the intent of exploring vaccines as a possible source of this rise — despite substantial proof to the contrary.
However, what if the escalation of these diagnosis rates brings forth a different narrative? What if, rather than pointing to an actual growth in autism cases, it simply underscores a shift in understanding and awareness of the condition? What if the rise in autism can be seen as cause for optimism?
Drawing from my own experiences as a scientist diagnosed with autism, I propose a different perspective. To my mind, the uptick in autism cases is attributed not to an actual increase in its prevalence but to an increased understanding of the disorder, more precise diagnostic tools (mainly for women and girls), and a more inclusive definition which now encompasses a broadening spectrum of neurodevelopmental conditions.
During my early years, I was often absorbed in my own world, oblivious to social signals and prone to lengthy declarations on my niche passions. Even with these signs, the thought that I could be on the autism spectrum didn’t cross my mind until I was aged 53.
Such suspicions arose during a work-based assessment where a psychologist was summoned by my employer. In the aftermath of comprehensive interviews with both me and my colleagues, the psychologist proposed the possibility of autism. Subsequent analyses affirmed this hypothesis.
The leap of autism diagnosis from once-in-a-lifetime occurrence to common diagnosis — at a rise of seventy times — may seem hard to believe just as a function of increased awareness or changing diagnostic standards, but my personal journey can shed light on this. During my formative years in the latter part of the 1960s, autism was primarily identified among children facing profound challenges in everyday life functions, often requiring robust support. My apparent autistic traits remained overlooked for diagnosis back then, a scenario that would likely not be the case in today’s environment.
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