Comments on: Better Diagnosis and So-called Epidemics http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:40:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Over-diagnosis? Misdiagnosis? Or Just Better Diagnosis? http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-555731 Over-diagnosis? Misdiagnosis? Or Just Better Diagnosis? Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:48:08 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-555731 [...] rise in the prevalence rate is due to a better understanding and identification of autism, and to better diagnosis—-somehow I don’t think families would go to all the trouble of having a child evaluated [...] [...] rise in the prevalence rate is due to a better understanding and identification of autism, and to better diagnosis—-somehow I don’t think families would go to all the trouble of having a child evaluated [...]

]]> By: Incidence, Not Incidents http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-555375 Incidence, Not Incidents Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:52:58 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-555375 [...] Autism incidents rising, is the headline for an August 9th story in the Grand Rapids Herald-Review. Two different school districts report having 35 and 52 students diagnosed with autism, versus five and maybe two students ten years ago: It’s been the past ten years that have seen the results of changes in the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders and a concurrent rise in diagnoses. [...] [...] Autism incidents rising, is the headline for an August 9th story in the Grand Rapids Herald-Review. Two different school districts report having 35 and 52 students diagnosed with autism, versus five and maybe two students ten years ago: It’s been the past ten years that have seen the results of changes in the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders and a concurrent rise in diagnoses. [...]

]]> By: Vaccines, Diagnosis, and Databases http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-543969 Vaccines, Diagnosis, and Databases Sun, 22 Jun 2008 23:38:16 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-543969 [...] criteria for autism and the steady rise in public awareness about autism have contributed to more diagnoses, and even to more people seeking out a diagnosis, as anthropologist Roy Richard Grinker argues in [...] [...] criteria for autism and the steady rise in public awareness about autism have contributed to more diagnoses, and even to more people seeking out a diagnosis, as anthropologist Roy Richard Grinker argues in [...]

]]> By: Keith du Cros » Blog Archive » Vaccination and concerns about autism. http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-555588 Keith du Cros » Blog Archive » Vaccination and concerns about autism. Thu, 15 May 2008 02:45:36 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-555588 [...] the apparent increase in prevalence observed over the last two decades can be explained largely by increased awareness and diagnostic substitution. There is no autism [...] [...] the apparent increase in prevalence observed over the last two decades can be explained largely by increased awareness and diagnostic substitution. There is no autism [...]

]]> By: The Puzzling Spectrum of Autism Causes http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-554973 The Puzzling Spectrum of Autism Causes Mon, 05 May 2008 18:28:20 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-554973 [...] and “why the increase”? People are quick to shake their heads at the suggestion that better diagnosis and more understanding about autism are real factors in the recent increase in the prevalence rate of autism, which is now [...] [...] and “why the increase”? People are quick to shake their heads at the suggestion that better diagnosis and more understanding about autism are real factors in the recent increase in the prevalence rate of autism, which is now [...]

]]> By: The Claim of the Autism Epidemic http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-553404 The Claim of the Autism Epidemic Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:26:48 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-553404 [...] environmental agent? Or, can the change be accounted for by diagnostic substitution, by our being better able and equipped to identify, diagnose, and understand [...] [...] environmental agent? Or, can the change be accounted for by diagnostic substitution, by our being better able and equipped to identify, diagnose, and understand [...]

]]> By: 2 Hypotheses: Autism Epidemic and Diagnostic Substitution http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-550955 2 Hypotheses: Autism Epidemic and Diagnostic Substitution Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:01:00 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-550955 [...] what extent has the prevalence rate of autism increased because of the “better diagnosis” argument—-that we are able to better diagnose and identify autism today than in the past? Is [...] [...] what extent has the prevalence rate of autism increased because of the “better diagnosis” argument—-that we are able to better diagnose and identify autism today than in the past? Is [...]

]]> By: Jan http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-542187 Jan Sat, 05 Jan 2008 05:10:09 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-542187 I just finished reading an article from Social Psychiatry 1 (1966) written by Victor Lotter. This study surveyed 78,000 8 - 10 year olds in the County of Middlesex (England) attending both regular and special ed schools or in institutions/hospitals. They focused on social behaviour and repetitive-ritualistic behaviour to identify children with autism. They found a total of 35 children (4.5 per 10,000) who ranged from non-verbal to verbal and IQs from untestable to over 120. All had been identified by 41/2 years old. There were more boys than girls and two distinct groups - one with a gradual onset from birth and one where there was a distinct setback. These researchers were very thorough and the study displayed high reliability/validity standards. They felt that they had identified all possible individuals with autism. The rate does not come anywhere close to the prevalence we are seeing today. I just finished reading an article from Social Psychiatry 1 (1966) written by Victor Lotter. This study surveyed 78,000 8 – 10 year olds in the County of Middlesex (England) attending both regular and special ed schools or in institutions/hospitals. They focused on social behaviour and repetitive-ritualistic behaviour to identify children with autism. They found a total of 35 children (4.5 per 10,000) who ranged from non-verbal to verbal and IQs from untestable to over 120. All had been identified by 41/2 years old. There were more boys than girls and two distinct groups – one with a gradual onset from birth and one where there was a distinct setback.

These researchers were very thorough and the study displayed high reliability/validity standards. They felt that they had identified all possible individuals with autism.

The rate does not come anywhere close to the prevalence we are seeing today.

]]> By: How To Say Something With Statistics http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-542372 How To Say Something With Statistics Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:58:37 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-542372 [...] statistics are frequently heard in discussions about autism, and especially when the topic is the so-called autism epidemic and the rising prevalence rate of autism (occurring in only about 3 in every 10,000 children in the [...] [...] statistics are frequently heard in discussions about autism, and especially when the topic is the so-called autism epidemic and the rising prevalence rate of autism (occurring in only about 3 in every 10,000 children in the [...]

]]> By: Chuck http://www.blisstree.com/articles/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/comment-page-1/#comment-541142 Chuck Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:59:33 +0000 http://www.autismvox.com/better-diagnosis-and-so-called-epidemics/#comment-541142 No. I am pointing out that the “politically correct” diagnosis criteria of the day cannot be retroactively applied nor is it currently globally applied. There is also no way to objectively infer that “This” diagnosis back then is “autism” today. I am quite sure that 50 years from now they will be saying, “ASD back then is xyz today”. The debate will be just as heavy then if they cannot explain at least a majority of what ASD is today. No. I am pointing out that the “politically correct” diagnosis criteria of the day cannot be retroactively applied nor is it currently globally applied. There is also no way to objectively infer that “This” diagnosis back then is “autism” today. I am quite sure that 50 years from now they will be saying, “ASD back then is xyz today”. The debate will be just as heavy then if they cannot explain at least a majority of what ASD is today.

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