preview

Are There Any Convincing Explanations Of The Rise? Autism?

Better Essays

Daria Sova
Dr. Huculak
English 135
15 December 2014

Are There Any Convincing Explanations of the Rise In Autism Cases in Children?
Autism is a word that every modern parent is aware, and even afraid of. This word autism, however, has become common quite recently. It first appeared in 1943-1944 when Leo Kanner in Baltimore and Hans Asperger in Vienna, published articles describing a childhood disorder named “autism”. They actually borrowed this term from Kraepelin and Bleuler, who used it to “describe the escape from reality and withdrawal seen in schizophrenia” (Catherine and Frédérique 2431-2443). Now the term “autism spectrum disorder”(ASD) refers to a “condition of early childhood characterized by multiple impairments in socialization and communication, as well as unusual interests and repetitive behavior”(Lawrence and Karen 51-53). According to Dr.Jose Cordero, director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, autism has become an “urgent public health issue”(Caroline). It is a global phenomenon occurring in industrialized countries. Statistics shows a huge increase of autism in children: in 2000 every one in 150 children was autistic compared to one in 68 now(Alice). The most well known causes of autism are the use of vaccines, the increasing age of parents, and genetically modified foods. In addition, most researchers now believe that autism is caused by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental triggers and possibly the use of

Get Access