Perceived child impairment and the 'autism epidemic'.
Autism
autism spectrum disorder
epidemiology
prevalence
Journal
Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines
ISSN: 1469-7610
Titre abrégé: J Child Psychol Psychiatry
Pays: England
ID NLM: 0375361
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
05 2022
05 2022
Historique:
accepted:
14
06
2021
pubmed:
8
8
2021
medline:
23
4
2022
entrez:
7
8
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The prevalence of diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased substantially across the world. Much - or even most - prevalence increase seems to reflect changes in diagnostic practice and ascertainment. A key part of ASD assessment is to document that the relevant symptoms are associated with clinical impairment. The aim of the present study is to capitalize on a nationwide longitudinal study spanning 15 consecutive birth year cohorts in order to investigate whether there has been a secular change in how parents perceive the impairment and suffering conferred by autism symptomatology in their children. Data came from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (27,240 individuals), where parents had reported on their child's ASD symptoms and impairment. Impairment due to ASD symptoms was regressed on an ASD symptom score across time. This was done for five 3-year birth cohorts (1995-1997, 1998-2000, 2001-2003, 2004-2006, and 2007-2009). Reported impairment increased with consecutively later birth cohorts. This was evident across all levels of autism symptomatology. At clinically relevant levels of symptomatology, parents of those born 2007-2009 reported a 23% higher degree of impairment as compared with parents of those born in 1995-1997. The relative difference, however, was even greater at levels that previously would have been considered below the diagnostic threshold. The results presented here contribute to the notion of a growing diffuseness in the conceptualization of the ASD diagnosis by adding the element of secular changes in the parental perception of the consequences of ASD symptom expression.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased substantially across the world. Much - or even most - prevalence increase seems to reflect changes in diagnostic practice and ascertainment. A key part of ASD assessment is to document that the relevant symptoms are associated with clinical impairment. The aim of the present study is to capitalize on a nationwide longitudinal study spanning 15 consecutive birth year cohorts in order to investigate whether there has been a secular change in how parents perceive the impairment and suffering conferred by autism symptomatology in their children.
METHODS
Data came from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (27,240 individuals), where parents had reported on their child's ASD symptoms and impairment. Impairment due to ASD symptoms was regressed on an ASD symptom score across time. This was done for five 3-year birth cohorts (1995-1997, 1998-2000, 2001-2003, 2004-2006, and 2007-2009).
RESULTS
Reported impairment increased with consecutively later birth cohorts. This was evident across all levels of autism symptomatology. At clinically relevant levels of symptomatology, parents of those born 2007-2009 reported a 23% higher degree of impairment as compared with parents of those born in 1995-1997. The relative difference, however, was even greater at levels that previously would have been considered below the diagnostic threshold.
DISCUSSION
The results presented here contribute to the notion of a growing diffuseness in the conceptualization of the ASD diagnosis by adding the element of secular changes in the parental perception of the consequences of ASD symptom expression.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Twin Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
591-598Subventions
Organisme : ALF-agreement
ID : ALFGBG 776031
Organisme : Vetenskapsrådet
ID : 2017-02552
Informations de copyright
© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
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