'Diagnosis is autism' label has gone too far

THE discussion about Ireland's autism overdiagnosis is finally being had.

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A recent study showing one in 20 schoolkids are now autistic - a threefold increase in a decade - sparked concern about what exactly is going on.

But it was renowned Irish consultant neurologist Suzanne O'Sullivan who brought it into the national conversation.

In her new book, The Age of Diagnosis, she says the widening of the criteria has gone way too far and says diagnoses at the mild end of the spectrum are more harmful than beneficial.

She told RTE radio's Brendan O'Connor: "It could become a self-fulfilling prophecy if you label [someone] autistic.

"The diagnosis may or may not be right, but it's not helping."