They probably don’t have as many doctors diagnosing autism either...
That is key.
The increase in autism diagnosis can be directly linked to an increase in funding and special perks if your child is diagnosed as autistic.
Previously those who would have been ‘borderline autistic’ at worst - are now given a full fledged diagnosis of autism to better collect the benefits offered.
Is anyone (beside Jenny McCarthy and her intellectual inferiors) really surprised when after you provide a financial incentive for a behavior - you see more of it?