Its with a heavy heart that I note the rhetoric of North America being used in this country to whip up hysteria and fear about autism.
In a recent article in The Scotsman, the news that autisitc schoolchildren now number over 3,000 has been seen as immediate proof of the ‘autism epidemic’.
Bill Welsh, director of Action Against Autism, said: “Despite claims that the increase is due to the widening of diagnostic criteria, recent studies suggest that this would account for less than 25% of the increase and that we have a genuine autism epidemic.”
I’ve never heard of Bill Welsh or AAA but Its rather depressing to see someone who claims to be an autism actioneer in this country using such ridiculous language. Note that he refers to ‘recent studies’ without ever referencing to them. Hell, if this is how campaigners take their arguments forward then I’d like to say that due to ‘recent studies’ I believe that the Earth is indeed flat. There, easy eh?
It does make you wonder why people are so reluctant to quote their sources. Maybe becasue they don’t stand up to scrutiny?
Just to reiterate – there is no autism epidemic. Diagnostic criteria have widened and reporting methods have vastly improved. There may well be an increase in actual case percentage but epidemic? Hardly.
Left Brain Right Brain 
Hi Kev
I must say, even the name “Action Against Autism” makes me think it’s a scare campaign and that the world should fear Autism!
Ironically, here in Oz we are desperate for media attention because we want to raise AWARENESS of autism positively, with the goal that our Governments will increase funding for intervention therapies, education and long term care.
Unfortunately, the media here seems to be more rapt up in celebrities and crappy meaningless gossip.
Oh well, we soldier on!
By the way mate, the Autism Australia Forum has been replying to you and would love to hear more from you!!!
Keep up the great blog!
Happy Girl 😉
Its pathetic media moral panics with no basis.
As you say, and increase is simply down to more people being diagnosed because of better methods of understanding autism.
It amazes me the fact that people just dont stop and think and consider the effects of what they publish…
OH, and love the new look by the way 🙂
Kev could you please help with my advocacy site if I was to do one.
The name and the way it was talking looks like it is a curbie group and they are getting way to many.
Sorry for the double post.
Isn’t an epedemic a temporary rise in the number of people.
Helen I’d be glad to help out in any way I can – mail me with what you have in mind.
Oh and thanks Matt ;o)
Hi Kev
Having a bit of trouble posting to you tonight, so am trying again.
Sorry for the irrelavence to this topic….but want you and all to be aware of this disgusting blog we’ve just found back in Oz today. It comes out of the US and if you can make it be known to your media and contacts in the UK to get it shut down asap!!!
http://www.tard-blog.com
Very upset Happy Girl 😦
HG – I know all about tard blog but there’s not a damn thing anyone can do about it unfortunately. Even if it was in this country no-one could do anything.
All you can do really is as I did and mail the author politely, explaning the upset it caused and asking what they get out of it. Not that I got a reply.