A Montreal researcher is blaming schools, doctors and parents in warning about what he calls the rampant overdiagnosis of autism.
Laurent Mottron, who analyzed 11 previous major studies, says autism has become so overdiagnosed, that within five to 10 years there could be almost no difference between those who have been diagnosed with it and those who have not.
He notes the criteria for a diagnosis has become so trivial it can ' include a child's lack of friends or a dislike of haircuts or tags on clothing.
Mottron admits the situation is complicated because mild forms of autism do exist, but notes that having certain autistic traits isn't the same as having autism.
He believes medical professionals should move beyond a simple checklist of symptoms before issuing a diagnosis.