2013 – Unfinished Thoughts on Autism
anxiety is not autism
Some Thoughts from 2013 - of mine - I wanted to share to reflect my growth and misunderstandings and more
Anxiety is not the same as autism. It can appear as a symptom within diagnostic frameworks, but it should not be mistaken for the condition itself. At present, we still lack sufficient empirical, systematically collected data to establish a consistent and prevailing pattern. Too often, Ockham’s Razor is overlooked in the rush to publish new opinions. Many recent studies prioritize speed over rigor, releasing observations and voices through uncontrolled and fragmented outlets, which risks muddying the conversation rather than clarifying it.
To be candid, the challenge is not always the diagnosis itself, but the misdiagnosis. For a variety of reasons, we are seeing more individuals placed within the “spectrum” of concern or identification. My worry is that too often attention is given to secondary or tertiary factors, rather than the underlying causes.
Diagnosis can provide a sense of clarity, but it may not always be the best indicator of how parents or educators can support a child’s development—especially when that child is young and vulnerable to being under- or misdiagnosed. Children do not come with manuals, yet they are remarkable imitators of their environment. At times, I suspect that certain developmental behaviors may reflect patterns shaped by parenting itself, rather than an inherent condition. This raises uncomfortable questions: are some diagnoses masking deeper issues, including the ways parents unintentionally influence behavior? And when adults justify questionable parenting choices, the child is left to carry a burden they never chose.
I am not dismissing the reality of these diagnoses. Rather, I am concerned about the tendency of some to cling to labels as explanations, while leaving underlying conditions unresolved. Contributing factors may include:
- Parents unprepared for the responsibilities of parenthood (due to age, maturity, or other circumstances)
- Parental health at the time of conception (weight, substance use, exposure to toxins, stress, etc.)
- Limited skills in behavior modification and encouragement (no child comes with a manual, though most parents do their best)
- Parents themselves being mis- or under-diagnosed, and projecting favored or predictive labels onto their children
As more substantiated data becomes available, I believe researchers and practitioners will be better equipped to provide meaningful options for families, and for children who must live with these diagnoses during their formative years.
Recently, a family in our congregation brought their beautiful little girl who had been properly diagnosed with autism. She is extraordinary. With the support of a loving father, a circle of friends, and a mother who—despite her frustrations—reminds herself daily that she is doing her best, this child has been given tools and an environment in which she can thrive. Sadly, not all children receive such opportunities.
