Dooms,
“We don’t have a DOWN SYNDROME Epidemic – the Rate of all KNOWN Genetic Retardation
has remained the same! Because Autism is not Primarily Genetic but caused by something in
the ENVIRONMENT.”
a. arguments and questions are not conclusions.
b. The argument you present, actually affirms what the data shows, that if the DSM IV criteria would be applied in the 1990’s the rate would be similar than it is today with just some increase as is expected. Otherwise, there would be no explanation to this genetic disorder.
There is no denying that:
a. DSM III had a significantly reserved criteria for ASD.
b. The stats of the 1990s were all based on the Criteria of the DSM III Criteria for ASD.
c. Aside from the many other criteria that were added, age is a huge factor, the DSM had an age restriction of needing to be diagnosed prior to 30 months.
Since the majority of children with ASD are diagnosed after 30 months, they were not included in the DSM III, so the increase is not an increase in prevalence, it is an increase in diagnosis.
I do not expect you to agree to any of this.