Why Everyone Suddenly Has Autism (It’s Not What You Think)

Autism rates have skyrocketed in recent decades, with about 1 in 31 kids in the US diagnosed on the spectrum today, and worldwide data shows a steady rise across most high-income countries.

Maren states that autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, not a disease, and does not necessarily need to be cured.

A 2024 study found autistic adults had a lower density of synapses than neurotypical individuals, indicating real differences in brain structure and connection.

Evidence suggests autism often starts at the earliest stages of life, during development in utero.

Swiss psychiatrist Eugene Bleuler coined the words "autistic" and "autism" in the 1910s, and Russian doctor Grunya Sukhareva published detailed case studies of autistic symptoms in the 1920s.

Hans Asperger's work is problematic due to its association with the Nazi regime and eugenics, and the "refrigerator mother hypothesis" is known to be untrue.

Joe Hanson believes "epidemic" is not the right term to explain the increase in autism prevalence.

Studies suggest an association between metabolic conditions during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and weight gain, and an increased risk of autism in offspring.

Robust studies have found that in utero exposure to industrial pesticides is linked with an increased likelihood of developing autism, with one study showing a 60% higher risk if a mother lived near treated fields.

Maternal exposure to toxic levels of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury, is linked to an increased likelihood of children developing autism, though causation is not definitively established.

Carefully controlled studies show a clear association between mothers taking valproate (e.g., Depakote) during pregnancy and a significantly higher risk of autism and other developmental disorders in the baby, leading to its non-recommendation for pregnant women.

There is strong evidence that infections and fevers during pregnancy can increase the likelihood of autism in the baby, while acetaminophen is not indicated as a risk.

Austin is an urban area with a per capita income of around $71,000 a year, while Lancet is a more rural area with a per capita income of around $25,000 a year.