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More Evidence of Increase in Profound Autism

I am Jack's username writes "The New York times has an article (no registration required) about an increase in profound autism in California of 273% between 1987 and 1998. Between 1999 and 2001 more than 6 500 cases were reported, similar to the number reported between 1970 to 1995. The increase cannot be accounted for by misdiagnosis, increased awareness, childhood immunizations, emigration, birth injuries, and genetics. Some autism experts think the actual cases to be dramatically more than reported in the UC study. See also previous discussions about high-function geek rich areas like silicon valley."

3 of 501 comments (clear)

  1. Must be /.'s fault by Arcturax · · Score: 5, Funny

    So this is what happens when all those parents spend too much time reading /. and sucking up monitor radiation!

    --

    --Won't that be grand? Computers and the programs will start thinking and the people will stop. - Dr. Walter Gibbs
  2. This is orthogonal, not off-topic! by rot26 · · Score: 5, Funny

    There was this kid who, as he got older, never spoke. His parents took him to doctors, specialists, psychiatrists, all to no avail. In ever other way, he seemed normal. This continued until his 10th birthday, when one night at dinner, he said "These beans are cold".

    His overjoyed parents asked "if you can talk, why haven't you said anything before?"

    He replied "Up to now, everything's been ok".

    --



    To ensure perfect aim, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target
  3. A solution for slowing the spread of Autism... by kyletinsley · · Score: 5, Funny

    However, it is possible that a milder expression of the same genes does have advantages, ala tech centers. Think sickle-cell anemia, where one gene gives you malaria resistantance, but two make you very sick.

    So clearly, the answer to stopping the spread of this Autism is to mandate that every geek coder in Silicon Valley must mate with a supermodel who has no math or technical skills whatsoever. They must not mate with other geeks, but only with those who get paid to wear their underwear on stage. This is absolutely necessary for the survival of intelligence and technology in our country! So please models, take one for the team!