[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Katheelee

I have been involved with the autism community since 1976. The rates were not 1 in 51, it was 1 in several hundred- thousand. I have taught students with autism since 1981. The increase is real. It is not due to pot ( unless now pot is being sprayed with chemicals in production)
What is true, is that asperger is now in the definition of autism through the dsm-v. It used to have it's own category and they combined them. These are the individuals that in the 60's and 70's when i went to school were what we considered " nerds" or "brains" they were super smart in a chosen area and had no social skills.
Even with the melding of the 2 categories into one, the increase is real! There are 3 levels of autism based on the dsm-v. Level 1 is our aspergery friends that need minimal supports to function in society. Level 2 are our friends that will need supports, maybe hold a very routine job ( with help), and may be able to live on their own but will still need support in their lives to be able to do that. Then we have tge level 3 friends. These require continually supports throughout the day. They will most likely live with their parents their entire life. They will most likely not have a job, are at time nonverbal, lower cognitively, and struggle in daily living skills. They also have a higher incidence of aggression towards themselves and others
Our numbers have increased due the the diagnostic criteria BUT, the level 3 numbers have increased significantly! These people would get the diagnosis upon walking into the doctors office. They would get the diagnosis back in 1977 when I started. In my school, we have gone from 4 level 3 students in 2017 to 19 in 2024. We have 18 right now in our preschool that will be coming our way next school year. I am thankful RFK is looking at the cause. There are so many studies determining genetics, environmental causes ( plastics, GMO'S ,etc) and now the gut health of the pregnant mother. We need to find the answer for the level 3 kids. There is nothing out there for them once they age out of school and not much help for parents/relief for the 24 hour a day responsibility of taking care of these individuals.

The huge increase in autism since 1970 might also be ONE OF the reasons that married couples are having less children today. (just 1 or 2 children) There are other factors of course.