Message text written by Michael Sachs >Despite those qualms, the new findings seemingly put researchers back to square one in trying to unravel the causes for the astonishing surge in a once-rare disorder, which has increased more than 500% in the last decade alone. < I am led to wonder whether the true incidence of autism has increased or whether instead it is simply being better diagnosed. Before "Rainman," I doubt the awareness of the condition was such that it would have been routinely picked up by the run-of-the-mill pediatrician or family doctor in general practice. I regard with some skepticism the statement that the actual incidence has increased. I have to wonder if it is more accurate to say that it is _being_diagnosed_ at a frequency 5X higher than a decade ago.... Christine M. Beville, M.D. Internal Medicine & Pediatrics