Almost one in 40 Australians has autism — a number that has risen exponentially over recent years.
In August, the federal government announced it would move children with autism off the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), instead providing $2 billion for a new Thriving Kids scheme.
Federal Health Minster Mark Butler last month told the National Press Council children were being “overserviced” on the plan, bringing its financial sustainability into question.
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On Sunrise on Wednesday, clinical psychologist Fiona Aldridge and Autism Research Brain and Mind Centre head of clinic Professional Adam Guastella busted some of the biggest myths around autism.
Guastella was asked about fears that vaccines can cause autism.
In 1998, British gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield published a report in the journal Lancet saying eight children developed symptoms of autism within one month of receiving the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The study has since been debunked.
Despite that, the idea that vaccines are associated with autism seems to persist, Guastella said.
The vaccine myth and autism
“The greatest myth in the autism field that we don’t seem to be able to knock on its head is that vaccines are associated with autism,” Guastella said.
“Back in 1998, a study ... was released and that particular study has been found to be not credible, for the data to be incorrect, and the authors have withdrawn their findings.
“You look at a population level there is no link ... if they look at countries when vaccines were introduced, and the rate of autism, there wasn’t a massive uplift.”
Guastella explained even some possible contributing factors which appear to be linked were not straightforward.
“Parental age one is a complex one. We long thought the older age of fathers was associated with a higher rate of autism,” Guastella said.
“It kind of still is, but we now have a deeper understanding that it’s more complicated than that.
“In fact, there’s been a number of studies to show that those fathers with more autism genes, if you like, tend to have babies later in life and that may explain the association.
“So, yes, the association with age is there but we think it might be more complicated than simply fathers being older.”
Probable causes of autism
Guastella said the “most frequently cited and known cause” of autism “is no doubt genetics and hereditary factors”.
“In fact, genetics count for about 75 per cent of the cause of autism,” Guastella said.
“But we know autism is a complex presentation with lots of features.
“There’s been over 200 to 400 genes implicated in the diagnosis of autism. That’s actually the most important feature.
“The other things implicated are things that influence child development generally, things that might influence the pregnancy like infections, health conditions, drug and alcohol use.
“Those sorts of things can all affect the development of babies and of course that can impact outcomes.
“But those sorts of features are in addition to, not explained only by, genetics.
“I guess it also speaks to the Thriving Kids announcement, because the hope is that by providing enriched environments where children have better access to developmental supports there will be better outcomes for kids.”
Higher rates of autism
Aldridge said the rate of autism is “a lot higher than we used to think”
“Going back 20 years, we might have said one in 170,” Aldridge said.
“There has been a big shift in the estimates and, really, there are a couple of different things that are driving this.
“One is about our understanding of what autism is — we have a lot greater knowledge thanks to research but also being able to speak to adults with autism and understand what that lived experience is like and what the differences are like.
“So, we now understand that autism, which is a brain-based difference in the way people think, experience and interact with the world, we have a much greater understanding of how that varies according to different ages, gender, and support needs.
“So, that understanding is one.
“And then coming along with that has been a much better awareness. Health professionals, teachers, the general community are much more aware of autism and therefore may be more likely to seek support and to seek help around a diagnosis.”
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