It may indeed be plausible for individuals, devoid of exposure to the spectrum of neurodiversity, to impeach why autism and ADHD appear to be ubiquitous in contemporary times compared to past decades. A reflection of such ambiguity might have indeed mirrored my sentiments prior to my son, Eddie’s, advent. The rebuttal to this quandary is rather rudimentary, attributing to modern advances in medical science, cumulative knowledge and proficiency to diagnose conditions that were hitherto left uncharted.
A recent empirical investigation shed light on the escalation in the diagnosis of autism, with figures soaring by an incredible 787 per cent between 1998 and 2018.
This academia-driven research meticulously scrutinised the prevalence of autism recorded in general practice records spanning England, encompassing over nine million patients from myriad practices. The findings, published in a prestigious academic repository, the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, hypothesize the surge in autism cases could be attributed to increased reporting, heightened public awareness and wider application of diagnostic criteria.
Bureaucratic Delays and Overhead
Contemporary data disseminated by the NHS suggests that presently, children confront a minimum corrida of a 10-month hiatus for securing an appointment post-referral for autism evaluation—an overly optimistic stint indeed by my standards. Subsequently, one has to chart a labyrinthine journey encapsulating overtaxed services, esoteric acronyms and medical teams to secure apt support. The pinnacle being the attainment of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a blueprint dictating the requisite scaffolding within an educational milieu for a child exhibiting additional needs. In the case of Eddie, for instance, we were compelled to appeal to acquire an EHCP which focuses on his visual impairment and outlines provisions such as enlarged-font and coloured background readers. Despite boasting an average IQ spectrum, he struggles to concentrate in cacophonous surroundings, displaying behaviour that often exhibits a cyclical pattern.
The autism spectrum, nonetheless, is not a chronologically recent phenomenon. Its inception can be traced back to 1911, when it was coined by Eugen Bleuler, a German psychiatrist, to describe a facet of the gravest instances of schizophrenia – a term he also gave genesis to.
Persistent Prejudice
Regrettably, the concomitant stigma surrounding autism and partial comprehension results in children like Eddie morphing into targets of derision and bullying in commonplace environments. His experience at a quaint primary school engendered derogatory monikers such as “brain damaged” and “autistic fool” from his schoolmates. Notwithstanding the ostensible advocacy for inclusivity, Eddie often found himself excluded from social gatherings, revealing the parents’ biases in sharp relief.
This underscores the indispensable necessity of cultivating an elementary discernment and consciousness of autism and disparate neurodiverse conditions. Adequate intervention can transform a child’s life profoundly; a realisation that I arrived at over time.
Following a protracted struggle, Eddie transitioned into a specialist school after his mainstream primary school education was reduced as they confessed their inability to cater “to his needs”. Ensconced in his new academic setting since June last year, Eddie has demonstrated remarkable strides. His transformation – more engaged, content, communicative, and relaxed – has been astounding. Finally, he thrives where his individuality is cherished – a haven where he truly belongs. After all, is not this acceptance what every parent envisions for their child? Indeed, every child is entitled to an education.
