Autism rates are on the rise, with one in 31 eight-year-olds in the U.S. now diagnosed with autism. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. attributes this increase to environmental factors, but scientists argue that autism is largely heritable and genetic. Changes in diagnostic criteria and reporting practices explain a significant portion of the rise in autism cases. While environmental risk factors exist, such as infections during pregnancy and exposure to pollution, the complexity of autism suggests a multifaceted approach to understanding and addressing the condition. Researchers emphasize the need to focus on existing research and avoid alarmist claims about the causes of autism.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-real-reason-autism-rates-are-rising/