MovieChat Forums > Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe (2017) Discussion > Has the definition of Autism been the sa...

Has the definition of Autism been the same throughout the years?


This documentary mentioned that the rates of Autism diagnoses are increasing, and it made me wonder: are they still using the same definition of Autism as the one from decades ago?

If you go on YouTube and look up Autism-related videos you will find people who claim to have Autism; yet they are vocal, and don't self-harm. That's certainly different from the cases shown in the film.

Could the increase in Autism have to do with it being made into a "spectrum" with a looser definition?

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The diagnostic criteria have been expanded. There are studies suggesting that this contribues strongly to the increase.

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Clearly,you are not an Autism expert..as in ANY disorder/disease, i.e., leukemia,diabetes, anything-no two cases are identical. Hence, not all Autistics are non-verbal or 'self harm'..additionally, see the definition of 'spectrum'...there are 'set/fixed' criteria for diagnosis of Autism, however not all Autistic people have ALL the characteristics on 'the list',also, people have differing 'levels of severity', if you will,regarding each 'symptom/characteristic'...

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Autism spectrum has been expanded recently to include other illness such as Aspergers syndrome and OCD, thus i am technically an autist now as well.

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The spirit of abysmal despair

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+1

Very good post. The definition of autism has widened. It appears the film makers defined autism in a very specific way. They did not consider the definition of autism has changed. It now works on a spectrum.



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