Cultural, Historical, and Developmental Shifts in Autism Research and Theory

Article Review on ASDs.
Student Name
University/College
Course
Professor's Name
Due Date
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) has expanded significantly within the last three decades (Matson & LoVullo, 2009). Autism emerges as the most widely researched disorder within this spectrum, and the theoretical rationales and management approaches for the condition have improved considerably over the same timescale. New study and research themes are increasingly emerging, thus prompting researchers to conduct further research to offer an overview of these changes. This paper reviews and discusses cultural, historical, and developmental shifts in autism research and theory within the past thirty years.
Cultural Changes
Increased Knowledge Base on ASD
Over the years, the knowledge base of ASD has constantly been on the rise, contributed by many factors such as increased research and technological advancements. In a quest to tabulate journal articles about ASD, 16609 papers were obtained regarding Autism, with the second most frequently studied being Rett syndrome, with 1913 papers (Matson & LoVullo, 2009). This increased research has led to decreased discrimination against autistic patients. An emerging trend called neurodiversity, for instance, sees autism as a mainstream variation in human neurology rather than a disease that needs to be treated or eradicated (Matson & LoVullo, 2009). This viewpoint affirms the worth and distinctive contributions of different parties towards research on autism and promotes increased accommodations and assistance to enable autistic individuals to participate fully in society.
Increased Advocacy Groups to Provide Support for Autism
The rights and requirements of people with autism and their families have received more attention and activism from different advocacy groups. The increase in advocacy groups can be viewed as a cultural change since it reflects a shift in societal attitude. It has led to increasing financing for research and treatment and policy changes to enhance access to school, healthcare, and other autism services. In the past, it was challenging for people with autism and their families to get information, resources, and support. Yet, with the emergence of advocacy organizations, there has been a greater appreciation of the necessity linked to promoting autism awareness and offering assistance to those with autism and their families (Rosenblatt, 2018). These advocacy organizations have contributed significantly to raising awareness of autism and dispelling myths and stigmas connected to the condition. Also, they have played a significant role in pushing for legislation modifications that will give people with autism and their families better access to healthcare, education, and other resources.
Historical Changes
A shift in the Understanding of Autism
In the past, the cause of autism was blamed on the mothers. The "refrigerator mother" theory, which first surfaced in the middle of the 20th century, was a generally accepted idea that a lack of maternal warmth and emotional bonding was the root cause of Autism (Tulgar, 2022). According to this idea, moms who were emotionless and frigid did not provide their children the caring and love they needed for normal growth, leaving their children with autism. It can be stated that they believed in this theory because of the cultural norms at the time. Women were believed to be the caregivers, and any mistake was attributed to them. However, new research emerged in the 1970s and 1980s that provided more evidence-based research on autism as a neurological disorder, as the arguments were based on the science of genetics and neurological development (Tulgar, 2022). This understanding led to a better understanding of the multifaceted complexity of the condition and a decline in the stigma attached to it. For instance, research by Abrahams, Geschwind, and Levitt linked genetic composition to the disease (Abrahams & Geschwind, 2008; Geschwind & Levitt, 2007).
Change in the Criteria for Diagnosing Autism
Over the past few decades, significant changes in the diagnosis of autism have been recorded. In the early 20th century, kids who showed signs of autism were frequently labeled as having schizophrenia (Zel...