The Autism “Epidemic”
To clarify, there is no autism epidemic. The word “epidemic” itself has a negative denotation, its definition relating to the spread of an infectious disease. Autism is most definitely not an infectious disease; this tone-deaf term refers to the increasing autism rates not just in the United States, but globally. Anti-vax propagandists attribute this apparent rise of autism to the increasing vaccination rates amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, despite a lack of evidence to support this claim. Others accredit it to the rising age of parents, which has a weak correlation.
The CDC reports that 1 in 44 children have autism. This is a dramatic increase from the 1 in 54 in 2016 and the 1 in 150 in 2000. However, the cause is not that more autistic children are being born. So why are autism rates rising? It seems that the rise in autism rates is largely social, not biological. Multifaceted sociological and political factors are increasing the diagnoses and documentation of autism.
As we enter the modern age, more people are becoming educated on autism thanks to informational outlets that spread awareness. Until the 1980s, many autistic individuals were institutionalized as autism was even less socially desirable at the time than it is now. Society rendered autistic people invisible and unnecessary, falsely believing that they inhibited social progress and were only a burden to their respective communities. The deinstitutionalization movement that sprang as a result led more people to be diagnosed with autism instead of what was deemed mental retardation. More autism diagnoses led to more money being dedicated to therapy and research, which in turn led to more diagnoses. Aside from research, a greater awareness in general allows for more autism symptoms to be recognized.
Another factor is the passing of insurance mandates. Since 2001, all 50 states have instituted mandates requiring non-self funded private insurance plans to cover behavioral therapies for autism, which can save up to $50,000 on treatments. Directly after these mandates were passed, the prevalence of autism increased by about 10% and 18% after a few years. In some cases, practitioners and parents push for a diagnosis that ensures that a child receives coverage. Therefore, insurance mandates have essentially led to more autism diagnoses.
The most important thing to remember is that this so-called epidemic poses no threat to humanity. Autism is not something to fear, but rather something unique that should be accepted and celebrated for what it is. There is no dangerous poison in vaccines that is causing more autistic children to be birthed. Rather, the advancements in education and research are allowing people to better understand autism and how to properly diagnose it, though subjectivity still remains.
