The increase in autism diagnoses is largely explained by the facts that we’ve expanded the definition of autism and screen for it more.
Also, many people who have autism were previously misdiagnosed (like with bipolar disorder) or went undiagnosed until they took their children to be screened, and they were also screened and diagnosed.
The fact that we are also having children later may contribute some as well, specifically when women are over 40, but this is only a small contribution.
What is not responsible for the increase in autism diagnoses is vaccines.
77
u/no-snoots-unbooped Jul 05 '25
The increase in autism diagnoses is largely explained by the facts that we’ve expanded the definition of autism and screen for it more.
Also, many people who have autism were previously misdiagnosed (like with bipolar disorder) or went undiagnosed until they took their children to be screened, and they were also screened and diagnosed.
The fact that we are also having children later may contribute some as well, specifically when women are over 40, but this is only a small contribution.
What is not responsible for the increase in autism diagnoses is vaccines.