The closest I found to the exact number is a statement saying about 4-5 children out of 10,000 had Autism in 1990. But I can't confirm that it's reliable so it just might not be.

I call bull, people are over diagnosed. Those statistics are based on those who are diagnosed and not who actually have autism. I don't actually believe the rates are increasing, at least not as drastically. 

Toxic waste has nothing to do with the disorder, autism is formed through genes and genes alone. You're born with it and nature isn't affecting weather you'll have it or not. I could be wrong about that but I'd really like to see a study that proves otherwise.

Also, don't listen to Autism Speaks. They believe that autism is a national crisis and those with it need to be quarantined, proof- http://www.autismspeaks.org/news/news-item/autism-speaks-washington-call-action

That is one of the main issues when it comes to autism - We spread awareness and get our support from a bunch of bigots. 

The reason there are so many uneducated adults who are unable to get a job is because they're raised to believe they can get away with being lazy or having inappropriate behavior because they have autism. It's that mentality that has to change, we can't keep allowing people to use autism as a crutch because most people with it are highly intelligent and talented, they just aren't raised to believe so.

That is one of the main issues when it comes to autism - We spread awareness and get our support from a bunch of bigots.

I don't like Autism Speaks either, they are cynically exploiting Autism in order to scare people into giving them money which is something I have and always will speak out against.

 The reason there are so many uneducated adults who are unable to get a job is because they're raised to believe they can get away with being lazy or having inappropriate behavior because they have autism.

There are some that do that I won't deny that, but you are being rather needlessly harsh and inaccurate by painting all of the adults with Autism who have these troubles as simply lazy or as an excuse to be able to behave inappropriately. With the job market the way it is getting and keeping a job is now difficult even for people not on the Autism spectrum.

What also dosen't help matters is that practically every job that is out there has something to do with customer service and there are some adults with Autism that still have trouble interacting with the public. It dosen't mean they are trying to be rude or inappropriate but these misunderstandings unfortunately happen all the time and while we get rid of them completely we can bring them down through educating the general public and with the right supports for adults with Autism that need them.

There are some that do that I won't deny that, but you are being rather needlessly harsh and inaccurate by painting all of the adults with Autism who have these troubles as simply lazy or as an excuse to be able to behave inappropriately. With the job market the way it is getting and keeping a job is now difficult even for people not on the Autism spectrum.

 

What also dosen't help matters is that practically every job that is out there has something to do with customer service and there are some adults with Autism that still have trouble interacting with the public. It dosen't mean they are trying to be rude or inappropriate but these misunderstandings unfortunately happen all the time and while we get rid of them completely we can bring them down through educating the general public and with the right supports for adults with Autism that need them.

I didn't mean to say that they're all like that, I just meant that it plays a big role in why this is happening but you're right, our tough economy is making it even harder and most jobs do require social interaction, which really sucks.