[JonPreston]

Because they are a pretty intelligent bunch

Yep.

Study Autism Much Rarer Among Israel's Arab, ultra-Orthodox Societies - A new study finds that autism among children and youth in the ultra-Orthodox and Arab communities is considerably less common than in the rest of Israeli society

[so_real]

I've read that too :

Low prevalence of autism seen among Israel’s minorities (click)

Recent numbers from the United States indicate that among 8-year-old children, an average of one in 88 have been diagnosed with a disorder falling within the autism spectrum. In Canada, a recent estimate for children ages 6 to 9 who have been diagnosed is 1 in 94. Israel’s prevalence is much lower. In 2010, 1 out of 208 children under the age of 12 were recorded as having some form of autism.

More research is always needed. But as so many intelligent people have claimed for decades now, there is almost certainly a link between vaccinations and autism. I would not argue that all vaccines are bad. Nor would I argue that any autism is good. We need a common sense minimal vaccination schedule that truly caters to the health of the children and not the purse of drug companies.

[Mr.Unique]

Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorders Incidence by Sub-Populations in Israel 1992-2009: A Total Population Study

There are problems with diagnosis and reporting in these subpopulations:  The IA population is an ethnic minority in Israel, and the UOJ population is a cultural minority that chooses to strictly maintain the Jewish religious law and distinguish themselves from modern life. Traditionally, mental disorders in these populations may be stigmatized and, especially in the UOJ population, might also negatively affect other family members’ arranged marriage processes. IA and UOJ populations also tend to have lower trust in state agencies, and might minimize their contact with government institutions. These factors might reduce ascertainment of ASD in those communities and their awareness of the relevant benefit.

And, difference in rates of ASD may only be a matter of timing:   Our findings indicate a sharp rise in ASD incidence rates over time in Israel with a timing that differs by different Israeli sub-populations. Intriguingly, among the GP the rise in rates appears to end around 2004. The difference in timing of the trends by sub-population is compatible with differences in awareness or acceptance of ASD in the different groups playing an important role in the rising incidence trends.

[TalonDJ]

Correlation is not causation.