Utah study: Expanded definition finds more disabled kids with autism (i.e. no Autism "Epidemic") [View all]

[Godhumor]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54378594-78/autism-utah-definition-expanded.html.csp
The Salt Lake Tribune

One reason for the dramatic increase in children diagnosed with autism in Utah is the expanded definition of the disorder, according to a new study.

University of Utah researchers applied today’s criteria for autism-spectrum disorders to children who were considered challenged in the 1980s and who participated in an autism study at that time. The new study found a majority of those kids would now be classified as autistic

Bilder believes — speaking only for herself and not the co-authors — that increased awareness and an expanded definition is key.

"I’m not convinced yet this is truly an epidemic," she said. "Rather, we are much more aware of it. We identify it in much more higher-functioning folks than we recognized before."

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Whole article contains statistics and conclusions. But, yes, apparently changing our autism definitions leads to more autism diagnoses. Who woulda thunk?