Calling autism an "epidemic"

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The phenomenon of calling us an epidemic is frightening. Epidemics need to be combated then eliminated. This dangerous idea mainly emanates from Autism Speaks and the anti-vaccine movement. As the other posters over 50 years old have said, we have always been here.

when looked up, the first definition of epidemic is "a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time." Saying there is an Autism Epidemic not only links Autism to disease in people's minds, it links it to infectious disease, and implies that we are diseased. it also implies that our "disease" will spread unless or until it is "cured." We shouldn't be considered diseased. I know little about the Autism end of the spectrum, but I do know that the Asperger's end, considered a part of this so called "epidemic" is not the horrible condition people like to make it out as. We are awkward, not dangerous and definitely not contagious.

calling a gift like autism an "epidemic" is what the "advocacy" corporation autism $peaks is doing. and instead of helping us its just demonise us, our "disabilities" are coming from societie's ignorance and lack of acceptance. every single on of us could be as soccessful as every one' but thanks to the term "epidemic" which was created by autism $peaks we are being holden back.

Between my 11 kids and grand kids, at least 6 of them are autistc or otherwise creativly wired. I guess I AM an epidemic. Too cool.

Delight is epidemic and endemic.

Good post!

I hate the term epidemic.

Could they not use the term "prevalence" instead, at least.

Next they'll be calling it a "War on Autism" or something like that.

I think the increase in Autism is related to tech jobs being good for Asperger's people... and them having kids.

I'm personally annoyed by calling autism an 'epidemic'.

The word has association with infectious disease, of which autism is neither.
It makes as much sense to speak of an epidemic of left-handedness, and seems a plain wrong use of language but that is typical of today's "lazy media" who show little interest in researching their stories.

The media doesn't give a crap about how the dictionary defines an epidemic nor what autism really is. They use that word because of its negative connotations. It grabs peoples' attention, which is exactly what they need to broadcast their "message."

My doctor said that Asperger's is no longer a diagnosis.

While the term "Aspergers" is still used colloquially it is not a official diagnoses anymore in locations such as the United States where the DSM 5 diagnostic manual is used. People who were diagnosed with "Aspergers Disorder" under the DSM IV manual (1994-2013) still have their diagnosis, but now it is called "Autism Spectrum Disorder"

Oh, I didn't even know there was a manual lol

Wikipedia Article about Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diagnostic ... .282000.29

1994-2013
DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria for various conditions associated with the Autism Spectrum. Autistic Disorder, Rett?s Disorder,Childhood, Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger?s Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder/Not Otherwise Specified (Including Atypical Autism)
http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/DocsA ... endixa.pdf

May 2013-
In the DSM 5 All of the above diagnosis is subsumed into the broad Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria Autism Spectrum disorder
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp-dsm.html

Diagnostic Criteria for a new diagnosis Social (Pragmatic) Communication Disorder which is not considered part of the Autism Spectrum. Some have speculated that people who would have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum disorder had the DSM IV remained in effect will now be diagnosed with this new "disorder"
http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/?pageId=368

It's entirely possible the information I was dealing with is incorrect, or that my math is off, but ASD went from 1.36% to 1.45% in ten years. That's the slowest epidemic I've ever seen.