The Daily The Autism Diagnosis Problem
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Nov 24, 2025 
Azeen Ghorayshi, a science reporter for The New York Times, dives into the complexities of rising autism diagnoses, emphasizing that shifting definitions, not just environmental factors, drive the trends. Kathy Lord, a seasoned clinical psychologist, reflects on the historical views of autism and the implications of expanding criteria. They discuss the growing neurodiversity movement, resource competition for services, and the controversial proposal for a 'profound autism' category. The conversation raises critical questions about identity, representation, and care within the autism community.
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Rising Rates Driven By Broader Diagnostic Definitions
- Autism diagnoses rose largely because the definition expanded, not just because more people developed autism.
- Changing diagnostic criteria and awareness captured many more people under the autism label.
Early Patients Were Hidden In Institutions
- Kathy Lord recalled early patients who were nonverbal, rocked, and were often institutionalized.
- Clinicians then often advised parents to send children away and assume nothing could be done.
Spectrum Concept Expanded Who Qualifies
- The autism spectrum concept and new categories like Asperger's broadened who got diagnosed.
- These changes acknowledged diverse presentations but made diagnostic boundaries less reliable.