Autism is soaring— and the ‘medicalization of misbehavior’ bears blame

Two weeks ago, a team of American researchers published a major report documenting an astonishing rise in the diagnosis of autism.

In just over ten years, between 2011 and 2022, the investigators found that annual autism diagnoses tripled among children 5 to 8 years of age, with smaller but still substantial increases among older age groups.

How come?

The researchers offered no explanation.

Autism is a spectrum.

On one end you may have an individual who is profoundly impaired, nonverbal, barely functioning.

On the other end, you have Temple Grandin, a best-selling author and animal scientist.

Elon Musk has diagnosed himself as being on the autism spectrum, and who am I to question Elon Musk?

The rise in diagnosis appears to be occurring all across the spectrum.

Experts have suggested many possible causes.

https://nypost.com/2024/11/14/opinion/autism-is-skyrocketing-due-to-medicalization-of-misbehavior/