Autism in children may be diagnosed more often than necessary, endangering not only the children themselves, but also those with the greatest needs for support, experts warn.
According to researchers, some behaviors that are often considered typical signs of autism – such as difficulty maintaining eye contact or walking on tiptoe – do not necessarily mean that a child has this developmental disorder.
They also question the concept of so-called “masking” (or social adaptation), where individuals with autism are supposed to hide or modify their behavior to adapt to social situations.
This debate comes at a time when the number of diagnoses has increased significantly. In England alone, over 166,000 students have been identified with autism, an increase of 8% since 2020.
According to health services, signs in young children may include avoiding eye contact, lack of response to name, repetitive movements and limited interest in play. In older children, these may manifest as rigid routines, intense interests and difficulties in social communication.
However, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics questions current diagnostic methods. According to it, nearly half of diagnosed children do not meet the criteria for autism when re-evaluated by specialists.
Researchers point out that overdiagnosis can have harmful consequences, especially in the allocation of resources. Since the number of specialists and services is limited, overdiagnosis can divert attention from children with more severe forms of the disorder.
In many cases, children with more opportunities and support manage to benefit more easily from the system, while the most vulnerable – who cannot speak up or ask for help – are left without the necessary support.
Researchers also argue that expanding the definition of autism, as part of a broader spectrum, has led to an increase in milder cases, overshadowing more severe forms.
They point out that some diagnostic tests can be misinterpreted. For example, a lack of eye contact may be linked to social anxiety or lack of concentration, and not necessarily to autism.
Emotional and behavioral problems can also affect test results, leading to inaccurate diagnoses. Another cited study shows that nearly half of children diagnosed in the community did not meet criteria for autism when re-evaluated by research teams.
Other behaviors, such as sensitivity to clothing or walking on tiptoe, can be misinterpreted as signs of autism.
Regarding “masking,” the researchers point out that this phenomenon implies a certain level of social awareness — something that children with more severe forms of autism may not have. This suggests that the term is more often used for milder forms of the spectrum.
Ultimately, experts warn that overdiagnosis can create a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” Children who are labeled as autistic may have fewer opportunities to develop social and behavioral skills.
If a socially withdrawn child is allowed to be isolated, they have fewer opportunities to practice interaction and develop their skills. Likewise, there is a risk that any difficulties will automatically be linked to autism, limiting the child's full potential.
Experts emphasize that there is a big difference between a child who has difficulty doing something and a child who cannot do it at all - and this difference should not be lost in the interpretation of the spectrum. /GazetaExpress/
t7 live
