Autism: the causes of a worrying and silent epidemic

Cases are exploding with dthe dramatic consequences for affected families. And TSA or autism spectrum disorder appears to be becoming the norm in families in developed countries. For what ? Have we created an environment that breeds autism?

Summary

He doesn't respond to his first name like the other children and repeats the same gestures over and over again. Small differences that can go unnoticed at the very beginning of life.

Children go at their own pace, don’t they say?

But as you grow up, the dreaded diagnosis no longer leaves much room for doubt. If we initially spoke of autism, it is now about autism spectrum disorder or TSA. The manifestations are numerous with a common base and well-established deficiencies:

• at the level intellectual,
• of language
• of the social interactions

All of these symptoms can vary in intensity and severity. If some autistic people have only slight problems with social interactions, others will have a slight intellectual delay with few behavioral problems up to severe forms and the total inability to be independent.

A disorder which will generally have a serious impact on the daily lives of affected families. The shock of the diagnosis is all the more marked as it will be for life. No cure officially exists.

This is the German child psychiatrist Leo children who proposed the term autism to describe the abnormal behavior of around ten children whom he followed for several years. This pioneering work was the basis for the recognition of this disorder, the contours of which have largely evolved over time.

Its official incorporation into the bible of mental disorders in 2013 (DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) promotes recognition of this problem, which we call neurodéveloppemental.

The elephant in the room

One thing seems certain in the collective mind: we have never had so many diagnoses of people with ASD. An explosion of cases. An “epidemic” even according to others. Everywhere, but especially in developed countries.

And inevitably, this subject unleashes passions. Like sugar in children's hyperactivity and the possible role of cesarean sections on this issue.

Why would the TSA explode today?

Are the causes identified? Was a clear difference made between the genetic influences et environmental ?

In fact, epigenetics and the influence of our environment have been on the rise in recent years. Its interest in triggering health problems is important. Why not for the TSA?

• Could this be related to childhood vaccinesas Robert Kennedy Jr suggests?
• Early and massive exposure to screens, tablets and phones ? Maybe junk food, pollution and certain medications?
• But are we sure of the reality of this “epidemic”?

We are going to take stock of the most recent and serious elements on a subject which is becoming more and more important and worrying.