Uta Frith: A crisis in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Conditions

Abstract
There has been an alarming increase in mental health problems. Is this increase real, what is it due to? Some popular ideas include over-use of social media, long-term effects of the pandemic, and effects of various environmental toxins. However, these ideas lack convincing evidence. Instead, the causes are most likely found in cultural factors. The increase in Autism Spectrum Conditions has a verifiable cause in the lowering of thresholds for diagnosis. But why has the threshold been lowered? There is wide agreement that there have been cultural changes in the awareness of autism and in the perception of what constitutes typical and atypical behaviour.

I will consider how ‘concept creep’ has affected recognition and diagnosis of ASC, likely through a looping mechanism. Looping allows fragile facts derived from research to be modified by subjective experience, which then provides a persistent trickle into the formulation of diagnostic criteria and provision of support. I will argue that the changes now in progress have turned ASC into a banner for a new identity and away from the clinic. As the core features of autism are changing, individuals with severe and unequivocal social communication impairments are in danger of becoming marginalised. Do we need a new approach to classification?

About the speaker
Uta Frith, Emeritus Professor of Cognitive Development, UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience

IMC Tuesday Seminar held September 10th, 2024.

Note: Talk is trimmed to ensure anonymity of informants.