[freedumb2003]

Google autism rate Amish. The Amish have an autism rate that is 1/100 of average American rates. Since the Amish limit their interaction with modernity (i.e less processed foods, less immunization shots, less electronics). My guess is...

Guesses ain't science. MY guess is it is late-age births (probably more the man than the woman) that predisposes it. We might be able to bring in a cohort Mormon study to establish a potential corollary.

But your ideas and mine both suffer from post hoc/propter hoc.

It could be florescent lighting in the home for all we know.

[Antoninus]

Guesses ain't science. MY guess is it is late-age births (probably more the man than the woman) that predisposes it. We might be able to bring in a cohort Mormon study to establish a potential corollary.

There was a study done recently that corroborates some of this:

Maternal and Paternal Age and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Speaking of hypotheticals, it could also be the use of chemical birth control, given that the autism spike corresponds closely to the advent of "the pill" but I guarantee you that if that's the case, we'll never be told...