“Amish have an autism rate of 1 per 15,000. Everyone on average is 1 per 150.”
A. There is probably a genetic trend against autism with them.
B. They don’t exactly run to the doctor for every little thing, so they are not over-diagnosing.
C. The children, esp. the boys, are running around outside, not expected to sit still and play politely with others most of the day.
D. They aren’t hyperachieving pushy types who overstimulate their kids from birth.
My FRiends, if you have an Asperger’s diagnosis in your family, I am not saying you have raised your child wrong. However, the giant different between Amish and general American culture must be acknowledged, as well as the genetic factor.
The quoted low autism rate in the Amish is nonsense and has been refuted multiple times by pediatricians who actually treat the Amish.