health
Autism is often misdiagnosed in children
Authors of a recently published scientific study warn that autism in children is too often misdiagnosed, which diverts resources from those who need support the most.
TL;DR
- Autism in children may be overdiagnosed, according to a recent scientific study.
- Misattributing conditions like anxiety to autism could have detrimental effects.
- Behaviors such as difficulty with eye contact or toe-walking are not always indicative of autism.
- Misdiagnosis deprives the most vulnerable children and their families of needed support.
- Researchers question diagnostic methods, referencing a study where almost half of diagnosed children didn't meet criteria on re-examination.