The text discusses several possible reasons for the recent increase in diagnoses of ASD. Why do you think that the increase is occurring at this point in time?

What is the prognosis for children with ASD? What would you tell parents who asked you what they could expect for their child with the diagnosis?

As conclusively as is possible, research has demonstrated that there is no link between autism and vaccines and, yet, people continue to believe the link is present. Why do you think people continue to believe this? If you were talking to someone who holds this belief, what would you say or do? Why?

Describe some of the interventions for autism that have little empirical support. Now describe the interventions that do have empirical support. How are these similar or different? As a field, how can we increase utilization of empirically supported treatments for autism?