Why are more people being diagnosed with autism?

A recent study found a 787% exponential increase in the number of autism diagnoses in the UK between 1998 and 2018. This is a dramatic rise and one that understandably raises many questions. With that in mind, the health experts at YourGP are here to answer some of your most common questions about autism in the hope that it raises awareness, promotes greater understanding, and encourages everyone to play their part in making the world a more inclusive place.

What is autism?

Autism, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a range of neuro-developmental conditions that affect how an individual communicates, behaves, interacts with other people, and processes information. Autism can present itself very differently from person to person, and we therefore view it as a spectrum featuring a wide range of traits. Some autistic people may experience subtle difficulties in everyday life while others may have more complex needs and require greater support. It is therefore essential that every autistic person is seen as an individual.

What causes autism?

Research is ongoing as to what exactly causes autism and at the moment there is no definitive answer. It is, however, thought to be the result of a mix of genetic and environmental factors. What we do know for certain is that any suggestions about a link between vaccinations and autism have been completely debunked and categorically disproven by scientists.

How is autism diagnosed?

Signs of autism typically start to appear in early childhood. The most noticeable early signs include differences in social and communication skills, repetitive behaviours, restricted interests and heightened sensitivities to things such as noise, smells, food and textures.

It is important to note that there are no biological tests for autism in children, and a diagnosis will be based on a series of observations, cognitive tests and interactions with a specialist, coupled with information about the child’s developmental progress provided by the child’s parents.

Why are rates rising?

One of the main reasons we have seen such a marked increase in autism diagnoses in recent years is because doctors now have a much better understanding of the condition. Previous studies of the now-outdated term “Asperger’s syndrome” focused on a restricted set of traits. However, as our understanding has increased, the definition of autism has changed. We now understand it to be a much wider encompassing spectrum disorder, much broader than historic definitions, and this has led to significant changes in the diagnostic criteria.

This has had an especially large impact on the diagnosis on girls and women, many of whom were historically overlooked as their autistic traits did not necessarily fit the historic definition. We now have a greater understanding that autism can present differently in males and females.

Another key reason that autism diagnoses have increased is because we as a society now have much greater awareness of the condition. This means parents and teachers are now more likely to recognise symptoms in children.

This increase in awareness also means that many autistic adults are more likely to recognise key traits in themselves, making them more likely to seek a diagnosis in order to get the help and support they need.

Greater understanding of neurodiversity in general has also helped to break down the stigma previously attached to neuro-developmental conditions, making it easier for people to talk about their personal experiences and seek diagnosis.

The dramatic increase in the number of people being diagnosed as autistic is therefore not necessarily an indication that there are more autistic people being born than ever before. Instead, we should be mindful that there are likely to be countless adults that have lived their entire lives without an autism diagnosis, but who are indeed autistic.

What help and support is available to autistic people?

There is no “cure” for autism – nor is there any need for one. Autistic people bring another perspective, making the world a better place for it. However, some autistic people benefit from behavioural and / or medical assistance to help them utilise their skills and abilities, deal with difficulties, and reach their full potential.

There is a wealth of help and support out there, including charities and support groups for autistic people and parents of autistic children. If you would like further or information or advice, take a look at the National Autistic Society, Scottish Autism and Ambitious About Autism websites.

Creating a more inclusive environment for all

As our understanding of autism continues to develop, we need to continue to adapt to become more inclusive. Just a few years ago, ‘quiet hours’ in shops, supermarkets and venues were unheard of, but it is now increasingly common for venues to have regular sessions when music is lowered, lights are dimmed, and tannoy announcements are reduced.

Here at YourGP, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive practice. We provide autism-friendly appointments, for example for childhood vaccinations and blood tests. We work hard to ensure every patient is made to feel welcome and the environment is calm and friendly. Before we start any invasive treatment with any child, we always ask how well the individual child can communicate, how much they understand, can they sit still for a period of time, do they prefer to sit on the floor, or do they need to wander round the environment first, for example? Ensuring the individual feels safe and comfortable is our priority and we will accommodate all needs to make that happen.

Whatever your needs, you can book an autism-friendly appointment using our simple online booking system, email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.