Join Joshua Stott, a Professor of ageing and clinical psychology at University College London, as he dives into the striking rise in autism diagnoses. He reveals alarming statistics showing an eightfold increase in the UK, with a possibility of undercounting 1.2 million autistic individuals. The discussion challenges traditional perceptions of autism, examines new definitions, and highlights the complexities of diagnosing older adults versus youth. Stott's insights prompt us to rethink our understanding of autism and its evolving landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Exponential Rise in Autism Diagnoses
Autism diagnoses in the UK have risen dramatically, with an 800% increase over 20 years.
This rise is described as exponential, signaling a major trend change, seen similarly in other European and Anglophone countries.
insights INSIGHT
Autism Diagnostic Criteria Explained
Autism diagnosis requires persistent difficulties in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors.
These features include social interaction challenges and sensory sensitivities covering a broad heterogeneous spectrum.
insights INSIGHT
Massive Undercounting in Elderly
Autism diagnosis rates drop drastically with age despite autism being lifelong, revealing massive underdiagnosis in older people.
Estimates suggest between 440,000 to 1.2 million autistic UK adults remain undiagnosed, especially in the elderly.
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Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" is a unique novel narrated by Christopher Boone, a teenager with autism. The story follows Christopher's investigation into the mysterious death of a neighbor's dog, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and challenging societal perceptions of autism. The novel's simple yet powerful language and intricate plot structure create a compelling narrative that explores themes of family, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships. Christopher's perspective offers a fresh and insightful look at the world, highlighting the beauty and challenges of neurodiversity. The book's success lies in its ability to connect with readers on an emotional level, regardless of their familiarity with autism.
The Rise of Autism
Risk and Resistance in the Age of Diagnosis
Ginny Russell
The Rise of Autism: Risk and Resistance in the Age of Diagnosis delves into the reasons behind the rising number of autism diagnoses. It discusses how medicalization and potential environmental exposures contribute to this trend. The book also analyzes the utility of the autism diagnosis and its societal implications, appealing to clinicians, researchers, and scholars in sociology, philosophy, and related fields.
An interruption to your regular podcast feed: the first episode of a new BBC Radio 4 series investigating the steep rise in autism diagnoses.
The Autism Curve looks into the data that has prompted arguments - and conspiracy theories - about what’s behind the rapid rise. It goes on to explore changes in what autism is, who gets to define it, and whose experience counts.
In this first episode, Ginny Russell discusses her 20-year study that showed an astonishing eightfold rise in new autism diagnoses in the UK on an exponential curve. And Professor Joshua Stott explains how a surprising discovery at a dementia clinic led him to calculate that that enormous rise in diagnoses may still undercount the country’s autistic population by as much as 1.2 million.
Listen to the rest of The Autism Curve here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002bszl
Archive: BBC; CSPAN; Fox News; CNN.
Presenter: Michael Blastland
Series Producer: Simon Maybin
Editor: Clare Fordham
Sound mix: Neil Churchill
Production Co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman
More or Less: Behind the Stats 
