Inspired by this article:
www.tes.com
The modern idea of the Autism spectrum has become so broad that it's no longer clinically useful.
- Over time, diagnostic criteria expanded to include more people with milder or less typical presentations. And often with people that barely show traces at all.
- The "spectrum" has been stretched so far that it groups together people with very different underlying conditions and needs.
1. People diagnosed in early childhood, often with more obvious developmental differences and sometimes intellectual disability.
2. A rapidly growing group diagnosed later in life, especially adolescents and women, who may have anxiety, hypersensitivity, or social difficulties but not the classic features traditionally associated with autism.
These groups may not have the same underlying condition and may need different forms of support.
Supporters argue that the autism label has become so broad that it now covers people with very different levels of impairment and support needs, making the diagnosis less useful.
Uta Frith: why I no longer think autism is a spectrum
The autism spectrum has widened to the point of collapse, affecting how teachers should support autistic pupils in the classroom, researcher Uta Frith tells Helen Amass
www.tes.com
The modern idea of the Autism spectrum has become so broad that it's no longer clinically useful.
Main points
- Autism was originally defined as a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition involving difficulties with social communication and restricted or repetitive behaviours.- Over time, diagnostic criteria expanded to include more people with milder or less typical presentations. And often with people that barely show traces at all.
- The "spectrum" has been stretched so far that it groups together people with very different underlying conditions and needs.
Key argument
There may be at least two major groups currently being labelled autistic:1. People diagnosed in early childhood, often with more obvious developmental differences and sometimes intellectual disability.
2. A rapidly growing group diagnosed later in life, especially adolescents and women, who may have anxiety, hypersensitivity, or social difficulties but not the classic features traditionally associated with autism.
These groups may not have the same underlying condition and may need different forms of support.
What should occur
Rather than one broad spectrum, the articles suggests autism may eventually be divided into more specific subgroups with clearer definitions. Which will improve research and help target the support.Supporters argue that the autism label has become so broad that it now covers people with very different levels of impairment and support needs, making the diagnosis less useful.
