http://www.autismautoimmunityproject.org/yaz_autism_in_rhode_island.html
Autism has increased by 1,115 % between 1994 and 2002 in Rhode Island schools.
This increase in autism is real and is NOT due to better diagnosis. The more restrictive criteria of DSM IV have been exclusively used since 1994 and have remained unchanged. Rhode Island has ONE main center where cases are usually evaluated, ONE pediatric psychiatric hospital, and FEW pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians and pediatric psychiatrists. School departments, which are overwhelmed, are not likely to accept the diagnosis of autism lightly and it is possible that high functioning and/or less affected children may be watched with a Behavior Disorder or Speech Defect label.