Re: Advances in supporting development in autistic children and youth

Agreement: I Agree Body: Dear Editor This State of the Art Review tells us that the rising numbers of autistic children “ are widely attributed to greater awareness, expanded diagnostic criteria, and improved access to assessment and services rather than a definitive increase in incidence.” The three references provided in support of that opinion give no factual nor substantive support, to that opinion which has been repeated in sufficient papers and articles that it’s truth may be accepted by some. A book, recently republished, investigates the narrative history of many reports and studies in the past two centuries and comes to some interesting conclusions. (1). Mary Holland, in a new Forward to the republished book, writes “ ..not only is there an absence of evidence for autism before 1930, but there is evidence of absence – the leading physicians and health specialists of the late 1800s and early 1900s were on the job, pinpointing rare paediatric neurological conditions like Down syndrome and Heller -Weygandt syndrome, but they failed to describe anything like what Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger saw. “ Why have the contents of this well researched and referenced book gone largely unremarked ? 1 ‘ Denial. How Refusing to Face the Facts about Our Autism Epidemic Hurts Children Families and our Future. “ Dan Olmsted & Mark Blaxill. 2017, 2026. Skyhorse Publishing. No competing Interests: No competing interests The following competing Interests: I did Child Guidance clinics ( as they were then called ) more than 50 years ago, under the guidance of Dr Mary Lindsay, whose clinical acumen was only equalled by her empathy and modesty. https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r995 More than a decade later I saw a child with autism. Their incidence has since increased dramatically. Electronic Publication Date: Monday, June 15, 2026 – 08:36 AI use: No, I have not used AI Highwire Comment Subject: Advances in supporting development in autistic children and youth Workflow State: Released Full Title: Re: Advances in supporting development in autistic children and youth Highwire Comment Response to: Advances in supporting development in autistic children and youth Check this box if you would like your letter to appear anonymously:: Last Name: Thomas First name and middle initial: Noel Email: nthomas@doctors.org.uk Address: Bronygarn, Maesteg, Wales, CF34 9AL Occupation: retired NHS GP BMJ: Additional Article Info: Rapid response