I rather suspected this myself . The reason for the increase in autism is unknown as is the cause . Maybe it is the latest evolutionary step in a society that favors logic over intuition, reason over emotionalism. Look how everyone is preoccupied with their cellphones, blackberries, ipods etc. too engrossed to engage others in conversation. We're way ahead of you on staying focused and obsessed on a subject. Only recently has society taken advantage of the peculiar skills of autistics instead of just focusing on a cure. While scientists clinically look into the growing phenomena; the autistic wonders what all the fuss is about. The current theory suggest that the condition is combination of genetics and environment, which is far more reasonable than blaming a single culprit such as vaccines or parent/child interaction. While the neuronormals may be uncomfortable with the idea that autism is here to stay, Many autistics may feel like they are just fine the way they are and maybe it’s society that needs to adjust.
Loretta's Letters
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Next Step in Evolution
"There has been a threefold increase in autism diagnoses in California's Silicon Valley over the last decade. . . . This suggests that evolution is actively selecting autistic genes because they are of substantial benefit to modern society" - Michael Barton, author, scientist, autistic.
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Right on!!!!
ReplyDeleteSo how do we design supports for people with autism that aren't a drain on resources... Or do we just redesign the world?
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ReplyDeleteAccroding to this reference, they've found a significant increase in neurons in the prefrontal cortex. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22068992
ReplyDeleteIf you look at the evolution of man skulls:
http://www.infovisual.info/03/019_en.html
You'll notice that the skull has been transforming from a flat-top rear jutted formation, to a more skull more accommodating of the larger and larger prefrontal cortex of modern man. This area of the brain is responsible for our main cognitive functions. Our ability to "think" per say.
An increased density of this region, suggests to me, that Autism is merely an evolutionary improvement of the brain. The reason that it is considered a disability or disorder, is because "modern man" does not know how to properly aid in the developmental growth of "post-modern man", aka Autism.