Years ago autism was not diagnosed. Know one knows how many people had autism previously. Awareness of this disorder is one factor why the numbers are increasing. Autism in not limited to one group of people (rich, poor, etc.). I know people who do not have any vices and are well educated who have autistic children. Autism covers a wide spectrum of behaviors.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The incidence of diagnosed autism has increased since the 1990s. [4] Reasons offered for this phenomenon include better diagnosis, wider public awareness of the condition, regional variations in diagnostic criteria, or simply an increase in the occurrence of ASD (autism spectrum disorders). The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders to be about one in every 150 children.[5][6] In 2005, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) stated the "best conservative estimate" as 1 in 1000.[7]. In 2006, NIMH estimated that the incidence was 2-6 in every 1000 [8]
There are numerous theories as to the specific causes of autism, but they are as yet unproven (see section on "Causes" below). Proposed factors include genetic influence, anatomical variations (e.g. head circumference), abnormal blood vessel function and oxidative stress. Their significance as well as implications for treatment remain speculative."
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Where there is a will there is a way!
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