There's a Push Growing to Split the Autism Spectrum

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. maintains that the US is in the midst of an epidemic of autism, pointing to controversial theories such as vaccines as a factor. But while it's true that autism cases have risen sharply in the last few decades, critics see a different reason at play: the steady expansion of the "diagnostic criteria" over the same period, reports the Los Angeles Times. The spectrum, in other words, has become too broad, so much so that figures including Bill Gates and Elon Musk say they're on it. That has parents of children with severe autism pushing for a separate diagnosis—"profound autism"—and the New York Times explores the issue.

"The idea that Elon Musk has the same diagnosis as my daughter is ludicrous," says Alison Singer, whose 28-year-old daughter lives in a residential care facility and will need supervised care for life. Singer, who leads the nonprofit Autism Science Foundation, is among those calling for an official split in the spectrum. Advocates for the move describe a decline in research and services tailored to their children's needs, even as overall funding for autism research has increased.

In terms of numbers, a CDC study estimates that about 27% of 8-year-old children on the autism spectrum would fall into the "profound" category, per the Child Mind Institute. Generally speaking, the category would cover those with an IQ of less than 50 who have little or no communication skills and who require a caregiver. Many neurodiversity advocates are leery of a split, however, pointing out that the broadened definition has helped people once dismissed as merely quirky get meaningful support. Harvard researcher Ari Ne'eman tells the Times that attempting to split the definition would be like trying to "cleave a meatloaf at the joints."