Cited by 51Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchChild Nutrition and Feeding IssuesGenetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Nosology and epidemiology in autism: classification counts

Fisch, Gene S.·2012·American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C: Seminars in Medical Genetics

Abstract

Since its initial description by Kanner in 1943, the criteria by which a diagnosis of autism or autism‐like disorders was made—and their alleged etiologies portrayed—have undergone manifold changes, from a psychiatric disorder engendered by “refridgerator” parents to a neurodevelopmental disability produced in the main by genetic abnormalities. In addition, the behavioral characterization of autism has also entered the public consciousness and professional domains increasingly in the past 30 years, the effects of which we are continually coming to terms. A diagnosis of autism that once seemed quite unusual is now considered almost epidemic. Increasing numbers of individuals diagnosed with autism and related pervasive developmental disabilities will, in turn, affect the calculated prevalence of the disorder. In this essay, I attempt to account for the increasing prevalence of autism and autism‐related disorders by examining its changing criteria, the individuals and instruments used to make the diagnosis, the reliability and validity of same, and the sample sizes and other aspects of the methodology needed to make an accurate estimate of its prevalence. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Crossref · 10.1002/ajmg.c.31325

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Authors
Fisch, G. S.
Affiliations
Yeshiva University (US)
Corresponding author
Fisch, Gene S.
Venue
American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C: Seminars in Medical Genetics
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2012-04-12
Volume
160C
Issue
2
Pages
91-103
ISSN
  • 1552-4868 (ISSN-L)
  • 1552-4876
OpenAlex
W2142199424
Cited by
51
References
70
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 1
FWCI
2.29
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Medical Genetics Part C Seminars in Medical Genetics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, disease classification, epidemiology, prevalence, diagnostic criteria, pervasive developmental disorders, diagnostic validity, sample size, genetic etiology, history of autism diagnosis
MeSH terms
Autistic Disorder, Humans, Prevalence, Evidence-Based Medicine

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