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Tracing the Origins of Autism: A Spectrum of New Studies Michael Szpir Abstract
The late twentieth century saw what appeared to be a startling rise in the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) , although some experts in the field have argued that much of this upsurge was simply the result of increased awareness of these disorders or changes in diagnostic criteria. Regardless of which is true, the prevalence of ASDs raises the fundamental question of what causes these disorders. If there is indeed a rise in the number of cases, it would seem likely that a change in the environment could be the culprit. A number of major studies now under way are searching for clues about how the environment may contribute to the development of ASDs.
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