www.kosmospublishers.com [email protected] DOI: 10.37722/JNPABR.20202 Review Article Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research JNPBR-147 ISSN: 2641 -6816 Redefining Autism David Rowland* Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Independent Researcher registered with ORCID, Canada Received Date: August 04, 2020; Accepted Date: August 12, 2020; Published Date: August 21, 2020 *Corresponding author: David Rowland, Canadian Association for Neuroscience, Independent Researcher registered with ORCID, Canada. Email: [email protected] Abstract difficulties with social integration were compensated for by the kind of high level of thought and experience that can lead to Autism is neither neurodevelopmental nor a disorder. It is exceptional achievements in later life. simply an inherent neurophysiological difference in how the brain processes information. We who are autistic live in a From intimate knowledge of my own brain, I can affirm that specialized inner space that is entirely intellectual, free from autism is not a withdrawal. It is simply a specialized way of emotional and social distractions. We observe the world in being in the world. We who are autistic observe the world in scholarly detail but without any emotional attachment to what scholarly detail, but without any emotional attachment to what we see. It may be time for the American Psychiatric Association we see. We are simply living in our own intellectual space. (APA) to consider if autism should continue to be included in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Epidemic of False Diagnoses (DSM-5). In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported Introduction that 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, for a prevalence rate of 1.85% of the population [5]. Autism, from the Greek word meaning self, was coined in In 2012, a review of global prevalence of autism found 62 cases 1911 by Swiss psychiatrist, Eugen Bleuler, who used it to per 10,000 people, for a prevalence rate of 0.62 percent [6]. This describe withdrawal into one’s inner world [1]. Autistic apparent 300 percent increase in autism prevalence is in stark children appear to be in a world of their own isolated and alone, contrast to all other disorders listed in the Diagnostic and with senses that can easily overload. There is a recently coined Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), for which word for autism in the Maori language: “takiwātanga”.It means there has been no increase in prevalence over this same eight- “in his/her own space” [2]. year period. In 1943, psychiatrist Leo Kanner studied the case histories A 10-year Swedish study in 2015 concluded that although of 11 highly intelligent children who shared a common set of the prevalence of the autism phenotype has remained stable, symptoms consistent with autism: the need for solitude, the clinically diagnosed autism spectrum disorder has increased need for sameness, to be alone in a world that never varied [3]. substantially [7]. A 2016 study reported that many children originally diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder were later In 1944, medical professor Hans Asperger studied four boys found not to be autistic [8]. A comprehensive 2019 study in whom he considered autistic because of their shutting off JAMA Psychiatry indicates that autism is being significantly relations between self and the outside world [4]. Asperger over diagnosed [9]. Dr. Laurent Mottron, co-author of this most described these boys as having an autistic personality that is an recent study, has expressed these concerns: “The autism “extreme variant of male intelligence”. He felt that their severe category has considerably overextended …most neurogenetic 1 | Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research, Volume 2020, Issue 02 Redefining Autism Copyright: © 2020 David Rowland* * and child psychiatry disorders that have only a loose which it processes information.As such, autism does not fit the resemblance with autism can now be labeled autistic … you medical definition of disorder, i.e., a pathological or diseased could not have ADHD and autism before 2013, now you condition of mind or body. Newton, Michelangelo, Mozart, can.”[10] Doctors now tend to label as autistic anyone who Paganini, Darwin, Jefferson, Edison, Tesla, and Einstein were simply has ADHD and poor socialization. autistic and can in no way be considered to have been suffering from any kind of mental pathology. The Misleading Spectrum Autistic Traits Have a Common Cause This epidemic of false diagnoses coincides with a broadening of the definition of autism. In 2013, the American From intimate knowledge of my own autistic brain and from Psychiatric Association (APA) merged the following four studying the behavior of 21 other autistic people (including disorders under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder three family members), I have compiled a list of 50 traits that (ASD): autism disorder, Asperger syndrome, childhood all 22 of us have in common. These autistic characteristics disintegrative disorder, and pervasive development disorder not appear to have a single cause: hyper focus, the perpetual and otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Autism now includes a unrelenting state of intense single-minded concentration fixated spectrum of conditions of uncertain similarity. Professionals on one thing at a time, to the exclusion of everything else. diagnose by ticking off subjective symptoms on a checklist Hyperfocus thus appears to be the unique and defining causal without questioning the possible causes of said symptoms. state of autism that creates its observed characteristics [12, 13]. The APA defines autism spectrum disorder as “a Hyperfocus keeps a person perpetually trapped in the neurodevelopment disorder that is characterized by difficulties mental/intellectual part of his mind with no ability to divide with social communication and social interaction and restricted attention between two thoughts (or stimuli), thus making it and repetitive patterns in behaviors, interests, and activities” impossible to feel emotions as they happen. S/he can only [11]. TheDSM-5describes autism as being characterized by (1) process emotions intellectually, a process that may take 24 persistent deficits in social communication and social hours or so. Without the ability to feel emotion, it is impossible interaction; and (2) restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, to be spontaneous, to be emotionally available, to feel interests, or activities. These criteria are so vague as to be connected to others, or to be aware of how one is perceived. meaningless. If you do not know what causes specific symptoms, Anthony Hopkins spoke for every autistic person when he is then you know nothing about any presumed disorder in reputed to have said, “My whole life I have felt like an outsider.” question. Autistic Hyperfocus The spectrum idea falsely implies that there can be different kinds of autism and varying degrees or levels of autism. Not so. Hyperfocus is the unique and defining characteristic of Autism is 100 percent. Either one is autistic, or s/he is not. autism that is responsible for all 50 of its observed traits listed below. Hyperfocus is the perpetual and unrelenting state of Absence of Pathology intense single-minded concentration fixated on one thought pattern at a time, to the exclusion of everything else. All 50 of Autism can only be understood from the inside looking out. these traits are caused by the inability to run two mental Those looking in have no frame of reference by which to programs simultaneously. understand what it is they are observing. What autistic people experience in themselves as idiosyncrasy, others misinterpret as Approximately one-third of the traits below can also have aberration. other causes. That is why the symptom survey approach to diagnosing fails. Without understanding causality, the categorizing Autism is simply a neurophysiological anomaly. The only of symptoms creates only confusion. thing different about an autistic brain is the specialized way in 2 | Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Brain Research, Volume 2020, Issue 02 Redefining Autism Copyright: © 2020 David Rowland* * Intense single-mindedness Trapped in thoughts Mind always busy, tendency to overthink Mental Traits Passionately pursues interests, often to extremes Amasses encyclopedic knowledge about areas of interest Self-awareness but no social awareness Interruptions trigger agitation, confusion, or anxiety Cannot multitask Hypersensitive to loud noises and bright lights Experiences anxiety from being mentally trapped in a sensory assault Overwhelmed from hearing unwanted conversations Sensory Overload Overwhelmed by too much information Coping with electronics and filling out forms may cause anxiety Sensory overload makes it impossible to think or focus Difficulty listening to radio or talking with others while driving Unable to feel emotion Processes emotions intellectually Has generalized physiological responses instead of emotions Emotional Traits Anxiety bypasses the intellect to warn of unprocessed emotions Incapable of experiencing fear Can be angry without knowing so Never (or rarely) cries or laughs Cannot nurture self psychologically Shrinks from emotional displays by others Unable to defend against emotional attacks Considers self to be an outsider Lacks innate desire to socialize Social Traits Unaware of feelings, needs, and interests of others No awareness of how perceived by others Unaware of socially