Autism - diagnosing and understanding the condition

By Howard Lee

GP, Dr Howard Lee, looks at diagnosing and understanding autism – which now affects 500,000 people in the UK.

The number of cases of autism diagnosed in the UK has increased tenfold over the past decade according to a recent study. In real terms this means that the previous rate of 90 people per 10,000 may now be as high as 900 per 10,000.

Dr Paul Shattock, director of the Autism Research Unit at the University of Sunderland, said there was no proof that the controversial MMR vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella was responsible for the increase. But more than 2000 British families say their child regressed developmentally and became autistic after having the MMR vaccination. A number of studies around the world have so far failed to establish any proven link between autism and MMR and Dr Shattock says that a study planned by the Medical Research Council still won’t settle the issue.

Obviously, a better understanding of the condition is leading to better diagnosis but researchers are working on a number of other theories, particularly environmental factors such as pesticides, pollution and diet.

My grandson Joshua was diagnosed ‘autistic’ just before his second birthday
He was a cherub of a baby but from the start we were aware that something wasn’t quite right. His mum taught children with ‘special needs’ and was quick to notice that he had no particular smiles just for her. He wouldn’t stop crying when she picked him up; he showed no interest at all in baby toys or rattles. At five months he was still waking every hour, and wouldn’t feed at all, unless he was given the breast.

He failed to reach most of the developmental milestones and, by 18 months, he had severe behavioural problems – and they were very severe. He would move from tantrum to tantrum. He was obsessive and spent hours at a light switch turning it on and off. Any attempts to divert him would result in another temper tantrum. Josh never played with toys – or his elder brother – and his speech was very limited.

The change, once he started speech and occupational therapy and later special needs nursery, was remarkable. His speech development soared and the number of daily tantrums dropped.