It keeps getting more common because there is a push to have everything slightly atypical labeled as a condition or disorder. Autism just because the catch all name for every kid that is weird, introverted, or awkward.
Very little has changed and the true issues are really not any more common then they were 50 or 500 years ago, it just gets named and bemoaned more today. Although there are at least a few of the kids that have just been spoiled rotten by having never met a firm hand that loved them enough to spank their backside in their life.
Well ... I’ve heard some say, “I’m going to beat the Devil out of you!” ... But now we have ... “I’m going to beat the ASD out of you!” ... LOL ...
It sounds like we’ve encountered another “treatment methodology” here! ... :-) ...
I work with kids of kinds and believe me, there’s a huge difference between an autistic child and one who’s just awkward.