I did hear recently that autism has increased exponentially.
Autism diagnoses have increased exponentially. Whether there's been an actual increase in the incidence of autism is a whole 'nother issue.
From my reading on the subject, I figure I could get three of my (slightly on the weird side of) normal children diagnosed as autistic, and two as ADHD, if I wanted to go to the trouble.
How that would help them, I can't imagine.