An Autism Challenge
The article challenges assumptions about autism by presenting data that contradict the idea that autistic people universally lack empathy or social motivation. It argues many autistic individuals experience heightened empathy and strong social desires, but face difficulties in social communication due to processing differences.
Background
- This piece examines a claim that autism has been "over-diagnosed" due to loose criteria or diagnostic substitution (where other conditions are re-labeled as autism). The author tests this by looking at whether traits associated with autism (measured by the AQ, or Autism-Spectrum Quotient) have actually changed over time among those diagnosed.
- The AQ is a self-report questionnaire that measures autistic traits in adults; higher scores mean more traits. If diagnostic criteria have been loosened, newly diagnosed people should have lower AQ scores on average than those diagnosed earlier.
- Using data from the UK's Understanding Society longitudinal study, the author finds that AQ scores among autistic people have not declined over time, and if anything have increased slightly — contradicting the idea that expanding diagnostic criteria are driving rising autism prevalence.
- Cremieux is a data analyst and blogger who frequently writes about statistical arguments in psychology, medicine, and social science, often challenging popular narratives with quantitative evidence.