Autism: Are you aware yet?

April 1 marks the first day of Autism Awareness Month, and the media are ablaze with story after story after OpEd  after story about autism's mysteries, controversies and neurological underpinnings.  CNN has been particularly active, launching a series this month entitled Autism: Unraveling the Mystery.  And there's a lot to unravel, with no assurance that you will end up with anything more than a crushing headache and a big pile of yarn in your lap. 

As someone who writes about autism almost daily, I am struck by the themes that emerge when you look at the news coverage as a whole.  CNN, who clearly made an editorial commitment to cover autism in depth this month, is taking an all-encompassing viewpoint, spanning the medical, scientific, cultural, familial and social implications of the disorder, with commentary, links and video in addition to straight news reporting.  It's cogent and thorough. 

It's also a fascinating time capsule into the current state of our cultural attitudes and assumptions about autism.  Take a look at the top stories:

Autism's mysteries remain as numbers grow

Living with Asperger Syndrome

iReport: Living with autism-- your stories

Poet gives rare glimpse into mystery illness

Getting help for a child with autism

iReport: Fighting for autism awareness in Africa

Asperger's: My life as an Earthbound alien

iReport: 'Naughty Auties' use virtual interaction

Autism assistance dog opens girl's world

Vaccine case draws new attention to autism debate

Pediatricians urge early autism screening

Jenny McCarthy: The day I heard my son had autism

What does this tell us? 

That autism is still a mystery, albeit one that many live with: some painfully, some happily and productively, with many in the middle.  That many people with autism are talented and successful, despite stereotypes to the contrary.  That there are new treatments and services for people with autism that can help them communicate and thrive, but that figuring out which is most appropriate to a given person is still very challenging.  That the vaccine controversy is not going away any time soon.  That early screening is key. 

And finally, what I am dubbing "Etlinger's Law," in honor of Godwin's Law:

"As any discussion of autism grows longer, the probability of someone mentioning Jenny McCarthy approaches one."

So here's what I want to know: what will this list look like next year?  What will we learn?  What will we debunk?  I'd love your thoughts.

Comments

[Niksmom]

Well, hopefully next year's list will include another celebrity talking about how they've chosen to love and accept their child exactly as s/he is and what educational supports they've developed. Or that they're giving so many millions of dollars to fund education programs for all ages on the spectrum. Maybe?

[Casdok]

Yes it will be very interesting to see what will have changed!

[Vicky]

I think that all diagnoses of Autism, as well as any other developmental difficulty, should be made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist. The reason being that unqualified teachers are being given too much clout in a diagnosis likely to affect a child for the rest of his/her life.

My daughter's teacher insisted that my daughter had autism, arranged a meeting with myself and my ex-husband, and darned near had him talked into taking her findings to my daughter's doctor who would write a prescription. I insisted that she should be evaluated by the school psychologist, who put into writing that she could see no sign of autism in my daughter. Not satisfied with that, the teacher in question brought in a team of experts, without my permission, had her evaluated again, without my knowledge, and guess what? My daughter again came out with no signs of autism!

Autism is a legitimate problem deserving of our attention and support, but more attention should be paid in making these diagnoses.