The BS about nonexistant "Autism epidemics" is pissing me off!

[Odin2005]

I'm sick of that crap, and I'm sick of a certain DUer who shall remain unnamed peddling that crap. A lot of that nonsense is promoted by "cure-bie" groups like Autism Speaks and Defeat Autism Now that have a vested interest in creating hysteria about us on the spectrum. :grr:

[realisticphish]

1. the problem is

they truly do not understand the details of how differing diagnostic criteria can affect numbers. And if you try to explain it to them, you see the eyes start to glaze :shrug:

[Orrex]

2. There is also a gross failure to distinguish between symptoms and a condition

That is, if someone displays some symptoms consistent with a given condition, then that person is considered to have the condition, regardless of mitigating factors.

It's like saying "I have a headache; therefore I have a brain tumor."

[lizerdbits]

3. I was discussing this with my mom once

and she said 'I knew other kids when I was younger who had some of these characteristics and they were just considered odd or eccentric by others. Why do they think this is a new thing?'

My guess would be that the original diagnosis was made with really extreme cases and then others were included based on a few characteristics which drew in many more people. Thoughts on that Odin since I'm just guessing? :shrug:

[TZ]

4. it's the same ignorance

That believes Cancer is a modern day disease. Epidemiology is not a DU strong point.

[Odin2005]

5. Don't forget confirmation bias!

The poster I am referring to said last night that he's convinced because "what he read confirms what he sees with his own eyes". In other words, holy confirmation bias Batman!

[Orrex]

6. Cancer didn't exist until people started cutting vitamin D from their diets

True fact.

[realisticphish]

7. DAMN YOU D!

*shakes fist*

[Silent3]

8. Not true!

People didn't cut vitamin D from their diets... Big Pharma and the evil Food Industry did that!!

[salvorhardin]

9. It's the chemtrails

The chemtrails are blocking the UV B light. Fortunately, my 100W UV B laser treatment (it's all natural light!) hits the market next month. Just point directly at your eye and press the "Healing Light" button.

[LeftishBrit]

10. There is lots of evidence...

that diagnostic criteria have changed and that children who would once have been described as 'language-impaired', 'disturbed', 'psychotic', 'mentally handicapped' or at the higher-functioning end 'just a bit odd' are now diagnosed as on the autistic spectrum.

Add to that the fact that some children who have very severe birth difficulties, which would have killed them 30 years ago, now survive with an increased chance of autism, and I don't think that there is any strong evidence for a mysterious 'epidemic'.