Autism Diagnosis Surge: Expanding Definition, Not Epidemic
The Autism Diagnosis Problem
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Resources & Recommendations
People Mentioned
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. - Cited for his views on autism rates, vaccines, and his "Make America Healthy Again" movement.
- Azeem Qureshi - Reporter who explains the drivers behind the increase in autism diagnoses.
- Kathy Lord (Clinical Psychologist at UCLA) - A legendary autism researcher actively involved in defining criteria for the disorder, whose career tracks the understanding of autism.
- Temple Grandin - Advocate in the neurodiversity movement, known for being on the milder end of the autism spectrum and emphasizing that autistic traits can be valuable differences.
- Albert Einstein - Mentioned as someone who would likely be diagnosed as autistic spectrum today.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Mentioned as someone who would likely be diagnosed as autistic spectrum today.
- Nikola Tesla - Mentioned as someone who would likely be diagnosed as autistic spectrum today.
- Mark Zuckerberg - His sister is quoted regarding the "riz and tiz" balance needed for success in the tech industry.
- Elon Musk - Mentioned for announcing he had an Asperger's diagnosis on Saturday Night Live.
- Marjorie Taylor Green (Congresswoman) - Discussed for her announcement to resign from Congress and her disagreements with President Trump.
- Donald Trump (President) - Mentioned in relation to Marjorie Taylor Green's resignation and his stance on her actions.
Organizations & Institutions
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - Mentioned for collecting data on autism diagnoses and its long-standing position on vaccines.
- UCLA - University where Kathy Lord is a clinical psychologist.
- National Council for Severe Autism - Conducted a survey on parents' experiences with school services for severely autistic children.
- Microsoft - Launched a neurodiversity hiring program, reflecting a broader embrace of autism in society.
- The New York Times - The podcast's publisher; also mentioned as where investigative reporter Brian Rosenthal works and where the Ezra Klein Show is hosted.
- MSNBC - Mentioned as "MSNBC now," a trusted source for news and opinion, home to shows like Rachel Maddow and Morning Joe.
Research & Studies
- Review of all treatment studies from 1991 to 2013 (Child psychiatrist in Boston) - Found a significant decline in the proportion of studies including participants with severe autism.
- Lancet Commission (Led by Kathy Lord) - Proposed a separate category for "profound autism" in 2021, defining it by minimal or no speech ability, an IQ under 50, or both, and requiring 24-hour caregiver access.
Websites & Online Resources
- capitalone.com - Mentioned for details on the Capital One Saver Card.
Other Resources
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - Referred to as "the bible of psychiatry," where autism was first added as a diagnosis in 1980, and whose definitions have evolved over time.
- "The Big Bang Theory" - TV show mentioned as an example of autism being embraced in media.
- "Love on the Spectrum" - TV show mentioned as an example of autism being embraced in media.
- "Sesame Street" - Children's show mentioned for featuring a character with autism.