The autism spectrum has expanded so much that today this diagnosis could potentially be given to anyone. This is according to Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development at University College London and one of the pioneers of autism research. In her assessment, autism has become a kind of “catch-all diagnosis” for various conditions and can now be diagnosed in individuals of any age or intelligence level.<\/p>\n
In an essay published in the journal Psychological Medicine, the scientist notes that autism is no longer merely a medical term and has become part of popular culture. Frith explains that social media has facilitated the spread of simplified and misleading ideas about the condition, leading to a kind of “magnetic attraction” toward the autism label in society.<\/p>\n
The professor recalls that in the 1940s, when autism was first identified, it applied to only a small group of children with severe difficulties in social interaction, communication, and behavior. Over time, the diagnostic threshold lowered, and today it encompasses individuals with mild traits who do not exhibit language or learning difficulties. Furthermore, the popularization of the concept of “neurodiversity” has created a trend where autism is viewed as a difference rather than a disorder. According to Frith, while this reduces stigma, it raises a logical question: if it is not a disorder, why use a medical diagnosis?<\/p>\n
In Frith’s view, the lowering of the diagnostic threshold has been largely driven by reliance on self-assessment, the search for identity, and a desire for social integration. The researcher believes that shifting from a precise clinical diagnosis to a “culturally reinforced identity” has led to an unprecedented rise in demand for evaluations among adolescents and adults.<\/p>\n
To avoid misdiagnoses, the scientist proposes dividing the spectrum and applying greater precision in the diagnostic process. Notably, researchers from Princeton University recently published a study in the journal Nature Genetics that, based on data from 5,000 people, identified four distinct subtypes of autism, further highlighting the need for a more precise classification of the spectrum.<\/p>\n