maryann
- Science
Increase in Autism Due Only to Changes in Diagnosis
There is more evidence this month demonstrating that we are not, in fact, presently suffering through an age of increased incidence of autism, but rather as the definition of autism is refined, we discover individuals who were previously misdiagnosed. A University of Oxford study has followed up with a group of 38 adults who were originally involved in a series of studies on developmental language disorders in the late 80s and 90s. Those who manifest symptoms of the disorders have difficulty with spoken language, a trait also seen in autism.
4.30.2008 at 07:54am - Comment by maryannMaryann L As an educator of students with special needs for 20 years, the 'source' of autism presents may questions. While there is no doubt that the diagnosic instruments have improved and may account for some of the increase, there is much more to the issue. To discount environmental and genetic issues would be a disservice to our entire population. We must persist in scientific investigations and resist the temptation to accept improvement in diagnosis as the ultimate causality for the devastating increase in this population.
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December 2009: Best of What's New
In our December issue, Popular Science names the 100 best innovations of the year: bombproof wallpaper, self-parking cars, the fastest helicopter, and 97 more. Plus inventor profiles and videos.
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