Another article that parrots the silly, theory-backs-into-the-conclusion that was preconceived. It sounds as dumb, frankly, as the South Park episode parodying Scientology. After his free “personality screening” Stan reports to his parents what the screening revealed. “we didn’t know you were depressed, Stan.” “Neither did I,” he replies. Only your article is not tongue in cheek.

What’s really happening is that the dollar signs are getting bigger in the eyes of “therapists”; their supervisors;their coordinators; the regional centers; and a new generation of “DAN” doctors and hyperbaric chamber suppliers, etc. “Autism” is no longer just a cottage industry – it’s big business, like pharmaceuticals or smart phones and tablet computers. Ironically, these latter two big businesses have also found a way to capitalize in this phenomenon of “better recognition”. How clever of them.

I have to agree with Angela. It’s wonderful that we’re helping kids be the best they can be, but it seems anyone who’s a little bit different these days is getting a diagnosis of mild autism. So the kids who might be a bit shy, or socially awkward, or have a bit more anxiety than most kids now get a label of mild autism put on them when they’re three, and that sticks with them for life. Of course I know that there are MANY kids who are severely autistic and can’t function at all in “normal” life, as well as others others whose everyday functioning is somewhat impaired and could really use the therapy in order to live a better life…I’m not talking about those kids at all, and I think it’s crucial that they get all the help they need. But it seems teachers and daycare workers are so hyperaware of autism these days, and so quick to raise the red flag on anyone who might show a few symptoms but are otherwise very normal kids. (The new ADHD?) It seems to me that we’re trying to raise a generation of outgoing marketing executives, and introverted personalities just don’t fit in with that plan.

I agree with most comments here. I do believe there is increased awareness. I also believe we have a larger population which will look like it’s on the rise, but the % of the population with it remains the same.
It’s the same with learning disabilities. Someone above commented about teachers and daycare workers are flagging it more often and I agree with that. I also think that just because they have extensive experience working with kids, doesn’t make them qualified to diagnose these conditions and can be incorrect more often than accurate in their assessments!
I also think that there are too many instances where a parent will heed what a teacher has said (and may be at their own wits end with a child that is different from expectations but in the normal range still!) and then go to the primary care pediatrician with this information and that doctor may attempt to medicate to placate everyone instead of putting in the referral for a true neuro-psych evaluation! Unless you are educated (and continue your education b/c it’s ever-changing!) in learning disabilities and/or special education, you have no business making these assertions. It happens too often. In general, we’ve become so hurried and preoccupied and any behavior that SEEMS out of the normal range (too introverted, too extroverted, high energy, extremely unfocused, overly sensitive) is quickly given a name and managed with medicine. Absolutely, each of the attributes listed above can be a sign of an issue, but they can also just be a part of a personality. I got slightly off topic here, mostly focusing on ADD/ADHD-type disabilities but I think it’s similar to the autism spectrum issue raised in the story.

As an early childhood educator and a parent of three special needs children, I do see more “special” children. Not because there are more, but because we know better what to look for, and how to help. I am not the one to make a diagnosis, but I can help spot potential for things and steer families toward help. I know plenty of people of all ages who could use help with things. I was not diagnosed with ADHD till two years ago. But I see where it has effected my life and choices. I did go into a field where I did not have to sit at a desk all day, and where my activities change every 20 mins. If I had received help as a young child, what could I be doing today? The better we understand, the better we diagnose, the better we can help. We don’t need any more children growing up to be hermits on a mountain side living away from society.