by Dean Traylor

Created on: May 22, 2012

It’s easy for many skeptics to jump to the conclusion that autism is being over diagnosed. Sensationalism and misunderstandings about the developmental disorder is routinely reported throughout various media outlets. Also, countless campaigns and awareness groups have raised the condition to a higher level of exposure to the public.

The specter of the condition has been cast as some sort of a boogeyman; the message is that it’s an out-of-control “disease” that must be feared. While this tactic may raise the awareness level of Autism, it can also be counterproductive and misleading – something many skeptics are aware of.

However, when one looks past the media hype and aggressive public relation campaigns, there appears to be some truths that even the most harden denier can’t ignore. The numbers of diagnosis is growing, and will continue to do so in the future.

Surprisingly, autism is an under-diagnosed condition. By its nature, it affects people in different ways and can be so mild that initial diagnosis could have missed it. Also, diagnostic tools, criteria and knowledge of Autism are either being improved or discovered. As a result, more people are being recognized as having the condition than previously thought.

First of all, the full name of autism is autism spectrum disorder (and, it is not a disease).  It is a developmental disorder that can affect one’s social skills such as language, empathy, and reading body languages of others. Also, it is characterized by repetitive habits, sensitivity for tactile activities, and fixations with an object or subject.

The spectrum is based on the severities of the conditions. On one end of the spectrum, it is mild. The person with “high-functioning” autism, such as Asperger’s Syndrome, has the abilities to function in a general education setting and may appear normal with only a few “quirks” in their manners. In fact, some will show huge strides in a particular academic field. It’s not uncommon for people with high functioning autism to attend college and pursue advanced degrees.

On the other end, the person can be nearly incapacitated – physically, emotionally, and intellectually. They will be dependent on others for the rest of their lives. The most extreme cases tend to be non-verbal or seemingly “stuck” in their own world.

Although a majority of those diagnosed with autism would fall in the upper part of the spectrum,

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