Autism is a world-wide epidemic, affecting at least 2-3% of children. The diagnostic criteria have been manipulated over the past 10 years to deal with the economic and political issues related to autism. The official CDC statistics above are probably an underestimate.  Of the 17% of children with developmental disability (1 in 6), many would have been diagnosed with autism using proper criteria.

While there are many “root” causes of autism…

I believe that Autism and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also called Myalgic Encephalopathy) are on the same “spectrum” of conditions that affect energy, especially that of the brain and mitochondria. The most helpful paradigms focus on retroviruses, cell danger response, and gut dysfunction.  These mechanisms are triggered or exacerbated (“gas on the flame”) by toxins (pre-and post-natal), infections, deficiencies of critical minerals and other nutritents and medical interventions including antibiotics and certain vaccine combinations.