I REFER to the article by Dr Amar Singh, “Emergence of the ‘new autism’ epidemic” (NST, April 27).

I am a paediatrician with an interest in autism. I disagree with Dr Amar regarding the reasons for the apparent increase in autism.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder. In recent years, the disorder has been called Autistic Spectrum Disorder, as varying severities have been identified. My search has not revealed the term “new autism”. Furthermore, there is no clinical paper that implicates parenting style as the cause of autism. The exact cause is yet to be determined.

Each successive edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — the bible of mental health — has revised the criteria for identifying autism in ways that tend to include more people. The jury is still out to determine if there is an actual increase in autism.

Autism is a complex disorder. The management of the child with autism involves many professionals. The professionals play an important role in the initial phase. The parents are the centre of management of a child with autism. It is their persistence and perseverance that brings success to the management of the disorder their child has.

It is heart-breaking for a parent to know their child has autism; what more if they are blamed for it. These parents appreciate empathy and are encouraged when society deals with their child with respect and dignity, as any other typically developing child.

Source: NST – May 9, 2008