Reply #74: I suspect that there may indeed be lower rates of autism in countries where there is less medical

[LeftishBrit]

intervention.

Why? Because babies with health problems that could put them at risk for autism - and many with no such problems - don't survive in these countries!

I would prefer a medical system where almost all babies survive, than one where 20% or more die before the age of 5. Even if the rate of autism is a little higher in the former.

While children with severe disabilities in the past were not necessarily institutionalized, they were much less likely to attend mainstream schools, but were kept at home or attended special classes.

It is a great pity and indeed crime that too little financial assistance is given to help people with disabilities such as autism, but emulating developing countries in terms of diet and (lack of) medical treatment is quite the revers of the way to go.