Is autism on the rise?

[Anonymous]

Yes

No

[nolabels]

Autism does seem to be more prevalent, just as a casual observance.

Causes?

Who knows.

I know that back in the 1950s and 1960s, there was a sharp rise in births of mentally retarded babies, usually boys.

Effects from chemicals used in World War II?

Maybe.

Autism? I've heard about increased environmental and food allergies being concurrent with autism diagnoses.

For years, I've thought that this line of reasoning is ridiculous. I didn't refuse to believe that which sufferers told me. I just couldn't make 2+2=4 in what they would tell me.

Why is it on the rise? The reasons could be beyond our present understanding, or they could be right in front of our noses.

Nowadays, after the ravages of COVID have torn people apart in horrific ways, and it has, believe me, you're hearing from one who has been ravaged by COVID, I tend to accept more of what people tell me at face value.

As in, "OK, I hear what you're saying. I don't know what to do with that information right now, but I'll file that info for later evaluation. I won't throw it away."

I have an autistic nephew. I would greatly love to be able to enter his world to share our thoughts about musical theory between us, which I'm told by his mother that he loves, as do I.

That is not likely to occur. It's sad to think of.

[Effably]

What we consider autism most certainly is. I have worked and dealt with many people of the older generation who, incredibly clearly, belong on the spectrum but have no such diagnosis.

After all most cases of autism can function well, if with some unique difficulties. My first rental was from a man who, for lack of better words, did not have it in him to comprehend a single sentence including hypotheticals, abstracts or even skipping a single step of deduction if it was obvious. Not stupid per say but if information was not phrased in exaxtly how he wanted to approach it he would not be able to absorb anything. Hard to say if he was highly autistic, which he likely was, or if he was having his own unique challenges in life.

Guy still had no diagnosis and was succeeding in life - loving family, financially safe, not having to work, own company, so on.
Would he be able to pass elementary school? Probably not. You don't always have to.

[NamerOfStars]

Diagnosis certainly is, especially in light of more screening and more people realizing that autism doesn't necessarily mean being nonverbal and a lifelong head case.

The condition itself? I suspect so, but obviously there's no way to no for certain.

[Anonymous]

I think that people have become more aware of it. With those who are on the high functioning side of the spectrum are now getting diagnosed; whereas before, they would just have been considered shy or awkward. Also, individuals with autism have a propensity to be drawn to water at young ages and unfortunately drown. As a society we've gotten better at preventing drowning deaths for all children under 5. So children with autism have been the chief beneficiaries of this and as a result are surviving to diagnosis.

[ArrowheadSW]

In my opinion, not on the rise but just being diagnosed more. And a lot of people have some traits that are common with autistic people but not to the extent where they would actually be considered to be autistic.

[DarkLegacy]

Yes it is a evolutionary trait, most people will have it some day

[Massageman]

Because it is.