http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/printpage/0,5942,6600077,00.html

Doctors manipulating autism figures

15jun03

CHILDREN are being falsely labelled as autistic so their parents can qualify for government funding, according to a report.

The GP newspaper Medical Observer Weekly says doctors are coming under pressure to diagnose autism spectrum disorder in children with a range of behaviour and learning difficulties so desperate parents can access assistance with care and schooling.

"If a case is borderline you're inclined to make the diagnosis because you're interested in helping the families," Perth paediatrician John Wray told the paper.

"It's a very real problem."

The report also quotes Gosford paediatrician Adam Buckmaster as saying that a parent with a "nightmare child" who had an intellectual disability, ADHD and other behaviour problems would not be eligible for government funding.

"Most paediatricians want to help the parents and if you can bend a little bit, most paediatricians will do that," he said.

The incidence of autism spectrum disorder has shot up alarmingly in recent years and experts say they are unclear why this "epidemic" has occurred.

However according to some explanations the increase is the result of a loosening of diagnosis criteria.

Based on a recent study by researchers from the Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, 17 Australian children are being diagnosed with autism each week.

Adrian Ford, CEO of the Autism Association of NSW, said diagnosis of autism was a complex task but he was not aware of any deliberate bending of the rules.

"I would certainly hope that's not the case," he told AAP.

"It's important that the correct diagnosis is given so the child gets exactly the kind of help it requires."

He said even when a diagnosis was made it did not mean a child received immediate help.

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