Warrior Parents, Social Influence and the Autism Epidemic

• In Event: 449 - Section on Sociology of Mental Health Paper Session. Coping, Recovery and Mental Health Services

Abstract

Autism (ASD) is a highly variable developmental disorder that impairs the normal development of social and communication skills in young children. Since autism was first identified by Kanner in 1943, prevalence estimates of autism have steadily increased to the point where some are calling it an “epidemic.” Recent research has identified a role for the sociological concept of social influence on ASD diagnosis, but is ambiguous about its origins and implications. Prior work suggests social influence fosters warrior parents - anxious parents who, while well-intentioned, manipulate medical and government institutions for the provision of autism care for their children. This has troubling implications; warrior parents blur the distinctions between mental disorders, undermine faith in medical institutions, and disrupting the appropriate distribution of public resources to disabled individuals. I assess the role of parents use diagnosis data from two systems of care in California - Kaiser Permanente North California and the California Department of Developmental Services – using a novel test. I parse the process of ASD diagnosis to identify where social influence operates, either in the preclinical suspicion of ASD or the clinical diagnosis of ASD. If social influence leads parents to impact both stages of diagnosis, then I conclude that warrior parents are responsible for the ASD increase. However, if social influence leads parents to impact only the first stage, then I conclude that worried parents, not warrior parents are at work. Results provide evidence of worried parents and clarify the way that social influence affects ASD diagnosis.

Author

• Phech Colatat, Massachusetts Institute of Technology