What is the difference between autism now and in the 70s?

More awareness: Autism trends currently: affects 1 in 110; 1 in 70 boys; health professionals are more aware and aggressive in identifying and intervening with autistic behavior evaluations; fastest growing serious developmental disability in the US; more kids are diagnosed versus cancer, diabetes and AIDs combined. Genetic links are being studied.

Symptom focus: Although the early descriptions of autism focued on impairments in social interaction, language, and behaviors, during the 70's the cause was thought to be poor mother/child bonding and the diagnosis was mainly made along with severe mental retardation. Now, focus in on biological causes of autism, and autism is recognized at all levels of cogntive functioning, including geniuses.