User:IanWilliams25/Controversies in autism

Epidemiology
The current accepted prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are around 1%, although previous research has shown far lower rates of incidence. ASD averages a 4.3:1 male-to-female ratio. The number of children on the autism spectrum has increased dramatically since the 1980s, at least partly due to changes in diagnostic practice; it is unclear whether prevalence has actually increased; and as-yet-unidentified environmental risk factors cannot be ruled out. The risk of autism is associated with several prenatal factors, including advanced parental age and diabetes in the mother during pregnancy. ASD is associated with several genetic disorders and epilepsy. ASD is diagnosed based on specific behaviors, and many of these behaviors are also linked to central nervous system damage that may arise from a wide array of possible causes. Many genetic disorders affect the CNS and alter its functionality, which can lead to the behavioral anomalies that people on the autism spectrum may exhibit. There exists a correlation between CNS damage and the behavior patterns which are common in people with ASD, and because of this link it is difficult to determine the nature of the relationship between any one epidemiological factor and ASD beyond this association.

Instructor feedback:

I would suggest you delete the evaluation at the top of the sandbox. I would encourage you to consider bringing over more of the article you are editing so we can see how your proposed edits fit in with the current article. I added my suggested edits and commentary above in parenthetical and underlined. The citation provided appears to be an example of peer-reviewed secondary literature, but it is quite old. For the purposes of this assignment, you will need to include a minimum of two peer-reviewed sources of secondary literature that were published in the last 10 years. I encourage you to review the final assignment rubric so that you ensure you know all of the areas I will assess. Keep up the good efforts and let me know if you have questions/concerns.