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Autism's Misunderstood Origins
- Autism was historically misunderstood due to conflation with schizophrenia and the dominance of harmful parenting theories.
- World War II obscured important early autism research, skewing our foundational knowledge.
Autism's Diagnostic Recognition
- Autism only entered the DSM as a separate diagnosis in 1980, reflecting shifting understandings.
- This made autism distinct from mental illness and integrated it into disability rights discussions.
Policy Drives Diagnosis Spike
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act required schools to report autism diagnoses, causing a spike in identified cases.
- This reflects improved recognition rather than a true epidemic increase.