Autism spectrum has no clear cut-off point, research suggests | Science | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/science/201 ... e-genetics

I'd be interested to know what's causing the so-called mutations then, cos autism is increasingly prevalent IME.

My wife deals with a lot of autistic kids, and has been on numerous courses. Effectively, autism is in everyone - we are all on the spectrum, it’s just that some are more autistic than others. So nothing new here, I see, but more reinforcement of information that’s been around for a while.

It's just you wouldn't believe how many kids round here are receiving help for it, my nephew included. Everybody knows everbody else in this area, but not like that

From what I've been told, it is now harder to get your child a statement than it used to be - cutbacks and all. A statement is what will get your disabled child extra help and support in school, including equipment, staff to look far them. Statements children do not usually contribute to a school's performance rating either.

It's not a case of being more prevelant, it's a case of it being recognised and diagnosed. In the past, a kid was stupid, disruptive, or an idiot (of the "village" variety). Now these have been classified, and recognised as conditions which can be treated (though not cured), whereas before the "naughty" child would have been punished.

There are degrees. Some kids are less able to cope at normal speeds, but get there. A lot of these are actually very good in IT situations, where the rules are fairly rigid and with a little bit of guidance get things pretty quickly and can run with them in their own solace. I had a girl in Code Club last year just like this. She was slow, but seemed to absorb everyone, and got a lot out if it. In fact, she made advances in other areas as well - she became more chatty as time went on. It did her good in more than one way. I hope she keeps interested in the subject.