U.S. study shows autism more common. I've been around and around on this and I think one reason for the explosive growth in the rate of new cases has to do with awareness and early diagnosis. Some True Believers think mercury (and specifically, Thimerisol) is the culprit and nothing will dissuade them. Personally, I think autism is simply too large to have a single cause. The huge, huge range in disability on the spectrum makes me think this may not have a single cause or single cure. More on this later.

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