When did autism start to become high profile or well known through the media?

[Anonymous]

#4360

These days I hear a lot of news and coverages of autism. In the past, I kept asking myself why was I so different from others and what was wrong with me until I learned of autism in 2004. Were there any news or coverages of autism in 1990-2003? In K-12, I never heard the word "autism" and I was never tested for autism. If I had known about my autism back then, I would have gotten help. Did autism start to become high profile and well known through the media in 2004? If not, when?

[Anonymous]

#5622

I believe there has been a spike in the focus on autism, even though there was focus on the issue throughout the 90's. I believe the answer is four-fold: Firstly, I personally believe autism rates have been increasing (in addition the increases due to changes in dignostic criteria).Secondly, the changes in diagnostic criteria mean that more people are falling under the banner of ASD and the more common the disorder is, the more the media focus on it.Thirdly, in recent years focus has been brought on this issue by a famous person (Jenny McCarthy). Who, whilst causing some controversy, she also explained the disorder to the wider public.Fourthly, Andrew Wakefiled's result tampering added controversy, which of course adds more media focus.

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