Dear Editor,
Paul Connolly reports on an ESRI study that reveals a 50% increase in long-term conditions among 13 year olds in the past decade, from 2011/12 to 2021/22. More than half of these cases involve ADHD or autism, according to Ronan McGreevy’s article “Major increase in 13 year olds diagnosed with disability in the last decade – report”, published on 22nd October.
The study suggests this rise may result from heightened awareness of conditions previously not recognised. The period covered, 2011-2022, however, makes it challenging to substantiate this proposition. Additionally, anecdotal reports from those involved in special needs education suggest a noticeable rise in symptom severity.
While factors like excess preservatives in food and multiple vaccinations might be dismissed as fodder for conspiracy theorists, there is a renewed call for more exploratory studies to understand the factors underlying these long-term conditions.
Kind regards,
Paul Connolly,
Cavan.