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 immunization shots, but not from the mercury argument. Latest study of Gulf War Syndrome from first Gulf War are concluding the possiblility as healthy adults prepare for overseas duty they were givened a battery of immunization shots in one session. Theory is the side effects of each shot could have interacted and affected the body of the servicemen and caused all types of disorders to manifest. Today we start immunizing kids upon birth till four years old with 18 to 24 types of shots. Small body and a battery of shots in such a short time period could be causing all types of interactive side affects related to asthma, allergies and even autism. Best way to determine the affects of pre school shots is to limit the number of them required before Kindergarten and spread the rest out, and then over time see what happens to the autism rate. Back in the 1960’s we required only 7 to 8 shots before attending kindergarten. Autism rate plus retardation rate combined is a lot smaller than current autism plus retardation rate. (Reason the two rates are combined for comparison, is back in the past many austistic kids were considered to be retarded).
I don’t think mercury helped (my son was vaccinated in the “mercury” days), but I do think the amount of vaccines given sets off some sort of auto-immunity problems. I think it’s also a reason we see so many food allergies. Didn’t know a single kid with peanut allergies as a kid in the 70’s and 80’s, and now there are at least a few in every school, and I do think these are valid allergies (some on FR consider it to be over-protective parents, over-pampered kids.)
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.
My sis has an autistic daughter (now around 10 yrs. old).
When she was 7 mo. pregnant her doc gave her a flu vaccine. Within 24 hours of the shot her (previously very active) baby completely stopped moving in the womb, and she (my sis) developed toxemia. The baby was born 6 weeks early, and the news was all downhill from there.
The "battery of immunization shots in one session" hypothesis you mentioned could very well be legit, and my sis (who has a PhD in biology) is on the same page. But because of her experience with only one vaccine she also thinks the mercury argument shouldn't be discounted.
My guess is autism is genetic and the Amish are a largely closed society.