They broadened the definition to include late talkers.
“Autism” has a code in the DSM. People get paid for “treating” people who can be shoehorned into a code. Broadening definitions in a “code” means more money.
You can also increase the income of “mental health” providers by creating new codes in the DSM - like “Oppositional Defiance Disorder” or the now well-established, highly profitable and destructive “ADD/HD”.
Government schools also get a lot more money when they have to educate the “disabled”.
My friend's grandchild has been diagnosed as autistic...he's shy...and it takes some time to warm up but he's fine and chooses whom he likes....
Another friend had a supposed ADD kid. Parents told the school to go to hell. The young lady is now a doctor. God bless the parents.
Interesting. Albert Einstein was a very late talker. His brain formed heightened analysis to compensate for his late verbal skill development.