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The Autism Curve

Diagnoses of autism have been rising exponentially. Arguments and conspiracy theories abound about why. So what's behind that steep upwards curve?

Radio 4,5 episodes

Episodes

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1. The Data
What do the data showing a steep rise in autism diagnoses reveal - and hide?
05 May 2025,14 mins
2. The Past
How has autism changed to include those - like women - who were previously missed?
06 May 2025,14 mins
3. The Science
What’s the evidence that there’s been a rise not just in diagnosis, but in autism itself?
07 May 2025,14 mins
4. The Identity
Autism today is not just medical but political. So who gets to decide who‘s autistic?
08 May 2025,14 mins
5. The Spectrum
Has the idea of autism expanded so far that it’s breaking?
09 May 2025,14 mins