Is the rise in autism a sign of a human evolutionary process?

[Neonatal RRT]

AI Overview

Yes, there is scientific evidence suggesting a connection between autism and human brain evolution, particularly that the same genetic changes that made the human brain unique also increased the risk for neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, according to a Yahoo article. Studies show that human-specific genetic changes, which accelerated the development of certain brain cells and supported higher cognitive functions such as language, may also have created a greater susceptibility to autism. This suggests that the high prevalence of autism in humans could be a trade-off for unique human cognitive abilities.

Human-Specific Brain Evolution and Autism:

• Unique human brain cells:
  Researchers have found that a type of brain neuron, called L2/3 IT neurons, evolved unusually fast in the human lineage compared to other apes. These changes coincided with alterations in genes linked to autism.
  
  
• Genetic changes:
  Some genetic changes that were accelerated in the human genome after diverging from chimpanzees are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  
  
• Natural selection:
  The theory proposes that natural selection favored these rapid brain changes, which were beneficial for developing complex human traits like language and sophisticated cognitive abilities.
  
  
• An evolutionary trade-off:
  In this evolutionary framework, autism may be a side effect of these beneficial adaptations, meaning that the genetic factors that enhance human intelligence and language also increase the risk for autism.
  

Why Autism is More Prevalent in Humans:

• Human-specific traits:
  The cognitive traits involved in autism, such as complex speech production and comprehension, are either unique to humans or far more sophisticated than in other animals.
  
  
• Unique genetic changes:
  Behaviors associated with disorders like autism and schizophrenia are not typically observed in non-human primates, suggesting these conditions are likely a uniquely human phenomenon.
  
  
• The "price" of being human:
  The high prevalence of autism in humans is potentially the price we paid for the unique cognitive abilities that define our species.
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  Human evolution may explain high autism rates
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• Autism’s High Prevalence Could Be an Evolutionary Trade-Off.
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• Highlight: The Intertwined Evolution of Human Cognition and Autism - PMC
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• https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/42/9/msaf189/8245036

 

[Outdated]

Human-Specific Brain Evolution and Autism:

Just something else to consider at the same time. We have seen genetic alterations over time in modern humans as well.

One of these is the way in which people of European descent have a much higher tolerance for alcohol than people who's ancestry lies in other parts of the world. This is believed to be at least partly influenced by the high levels of pollution throughout Europe during the coal age. People couldn't drink water because it was too polluted. For many generations wealthy people drank wine and poorer folk drank ale.

There's another modern influence in humans that has also been going on for many generations now and that is the more common use of abstract thought - reading, writing and arithmetic. It was common amongst wealthier people for almost 1,000 years now but has also been common amongst the poorer people for the last 200 years to the point that these days it's rare to find illiterate people in modern societies.

These are skills that have become useful in terms of human success and survival to the point that people without these skills are at an extreme disadvantage. But it goes way beyond just simple skills to the way in which we live our lives and the way we think about everything around us.

 

[vergil96]

In my opinion, a reasonable video that explains the nuances of statistics and causality in the context of medical studies. And also explains why there js more autism now.

 

[vergil96]

So the video explains how it is connected with technological advancement, but not neccesarily genetic - perhaps different natural selection trens than in the past. I also find the insights about statistics and correlations in the medical field valuable.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

So the video explains how it is connected with technological advancement, but not neccesarily genetic - perhaps different natural selection trens than in the past. I also find the insights about statistics and correlations in the medical field valuable.

One of the better analysis on the topic. Well done, in my opinion. Thanks.

However, there is a bit more to this topic of autism that goes beyond this. There still is this cognitive bias that autism is a "disorder" or even a "mental health disease" within the scientific community... that it is something that is undesirable... that it needs to be "stamped out" like a fire. Well-meaning, but likely ignorant and misguided. On one hand, I understand as a parent and as a healthcare worker in a children's hospital that some of these children truly struggle with their mind-body disconnect... and by proxy... the family, as well. If you have any empathy and sympathy, it is painful to witness. On the other hand, recent evidence suggests that many of these non-verbal, apraxic, autistics are not only intelligent, but in many cases have savant-like abilities... but are trapped in their physical bodies. Steven Hawking experienced a mind-body disconnect as well, due to his ALS. In both cases, they had to learn how to communicate without their voice. There may be a role for neural implants like Neuralink to allow these individuals to bypass their physical body and allow them to communicate effectively. We have a lot to learn here. Consciousness, within the Western materialistic paradigm suggests that consciousness is purely biological. Within other cultures, and this new information finally coming out, suggests that consciousness only uses the brain as a means of manifesting itself in the physical world... that it can be bound to, or decoupled from the physical body.

My current cognitive bias, given new information, suggests that autism... as it presents itself today... is not only a neurologic difference, but may be part of a step-wise evolutionary process towards Homo sapiens 2.0. I think there may be a larger, more profound master plan that we've only seen glimpses of. Currently though, for many of us, our consciousness is struggling in the physical world... due to the current limitations of our brain and body. I think we are slowly making our way towards some form of being that can access a broader range of frequencies and dimensions that will allow us to not only access the universe, but be able to communicate with other interstellar beings. As is, the current human sensory system can only access a tiny fraction of what is known... and when autistics are able to access a broader range of frequencies, or those frequencies are amplified, we call it "sensory issues" and it may cause discomfort.

My mind is slowly opening to the realization that there is the physical world of science and our 5 senses, the quantum world, and the world of consciousness. Three realms...and they all converge, like a Venn diagram, to make up our "reality".

 

[Grondhammar]

One of the better analysis on the topic. Well done, in my opinion. Thanks.

Agreed. I tend to avoid videos on topics that have been sucked into the political realm. This one was genuinely helpful, thanks @vergil96.

 

[vergil96]

but in many cases have savant-like abilities... but are trapped in their physical bodies.

It might be the case with all disabilities except for those that result from a genuinely damaged brain. Many people assume that a disabled person is stupid - no matter what the disability is, it might be hearing loss, vision impairment, it might be mobility issues, mental health (think someone who has trouble taking care of themself). It's not a true assumption.

There still is this cognitive bias that autism is a "disorder" or even a "mental health disease" within the scientific community... that it is something that is undesirable... that it needs to be "stamped out" like a fire.

Is it not? It's diagnosed based on deficits and difficulties. Not talents. Personally, I would rather not have the difficulties and I consider them objective, not social. I have all the sensory issues, I'm easily very oberwhelmed and tired to the point that it prevents me from having an "optimal" lifestyle. I feel overwhelmed talking to people even 1 on 1 too much - it's not exactly the best for mental health to be that much of a loner. Sensory issues cost me a lot of work to work around them. Food is one of the worst ones. I have focal seizures. Frequent overwhelm and the extreme fatigue are also bad for mental health. Dyspraxia is quite difficult too (I can do everything that is needed but heck, it is so tiring to try to feel pressure and depth with my hands very often, playing a computer game is so much easier than using real hands for everyday tasks, there is a good feedback loop in a game - not busted). Everyone has their their advantages and disadvantages, so I accept it, but it's a drawback.

In my opinion, it could be beneficial if people had the good aspects of autism such as attention to detail, talents, great memory, ability to focus for a long period of time, but wouldn't have all the sensory problems "in the package".

As for the metaphysics... well, that's not my piece of cake. We know what we know and don't know what we don't know. I personally don't need to believe in anything about what we don't know - I accept that we don't know.

 

[TBRS1]

I would be interested in reading sociological work regarding the types of jobs that people diagnosed with autism are successful at and content with.

If such work were analyzed, it could be used to pick out broad employment categories that are useful to autistic people.

Also, figuring out the characteristics of employment that work for present day autistic people might give us a better view of what autistic people did for a living in the past.

This is meaningful to me because I do very well working on my own, under my own direction in a rural environment where most of the work is done by hand, and slowly, over year long time scales. In the present day, this won't pay the bills. But in the past...?

Kinda makes me wonder if autistic folk did better in a pre industrial society. And, if so, can modern work life be modified to fit the needs of autistic folk?

(being off the clock at a specific time and not subjected to urgent late night emails or phone calls would be cool, for instance)

 

[Judge]

Is this actually a statistical "rise" in autism cases, or is the reality closer related to more persons (and perhaps society in general) identifying autism than in the past, whether medical professionals or not ?

Then consider that we likely weren't on much of anyone's "radar" prior to the research of Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger.

 

[TBRS1]

Is this actually a statistical "rise" in autism cases, or is the reality closer to more persons (and perhaps society in general) identifying autism than in the past, whether medical professionals or not ?

Then consider that we likely weren't on much of anyone's "radar" prior to the research of Leo Kanner and Hans Asperger.

A hundred years ago when a typical day for a person might consist of plowing a field or walking a fence line, how noticeable would a autistic person be?

 

[Judge]

A hundred years ago when a typical day for a person might consist of plowing a field or walking a fence line, how noticeable would a autistic person be?

Excellent point. The further back in time we go, the likelihood of that many more individuals being relatively detached from society in general, particularly given that many more persons living outside cities subsisting on their own agricultural pursuits.

That we inherently blended into society that much more...so we didn't stand out like we in more recent times. With everything evolving much faster now given communications technology advancements.

 

[Outdated]

A hundred years ago when a typical day for a person might consist of plowing a field or walking a fence line, how noticeable would a autistic person be?

Society structure used to be very rigid and controlled too. The rules were quite strict.

How you dressed. How you spoke.
How you respected your station in life - who you would and would not try to socialise with.
Marriage was pretty much obligatory and often arranged without consent.

Partying and searching for entertainment at least once a week was the sole preserve of the very wealthy, and certainly for rural areas entertainment was pretty much limited to religious festivals 4 times a year. That was a young person's only chance to find a partner they actually liked instead of getting married off to someone they've never met before.

People that were unable to fit within this social paradigm for any reason were usually institutionalised, unless you were extremely wealthy in which case you could afford to keep the afflicted person at home and hidden from public view. People were more concerned about the stigma that went with having a defective child than they were about helping the child adapt. Sink or swim, only the toughest survived.

 

[Judge]

Society structure used to be very rigid and controlled too. The rules were quite strict.

How you dressed. How you spoke.
How you respected your station in life - who you would and would not try to socialise with.
Marriage was pretty much obligatory and often arranged without consent.

Partying and searching for entertainment at least once a week was the sole preserve of the very wealthy, and certainly for rural areas entertainment was pretty much limited to religious festivals 4 times a year. That was a young person's only chance to find a partner they actually liked instead of getting married off to someone they've never met before.

People that were unable to fit within this social paradigm for any reason were usually institutionalised, unless you were extremely wealthy in which case you could afford to keep the afflicted person at home and hidden from public view. People were more concerned about the stigma that went with having a defective child than they were about helping the child adapt. Sink or swim, only the toughest survived.

How true. And how much of it fit right in with the reality of much smaller, but tightly-knit agrarian communities. Translating into more scrutiny on everyone. Where standing out in most ways would equate to a social "minus" more than any social "plus".

With many a parent all singing the same song- "Not MY child!"

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Seeing some anomalies in my family via Myheritage, families with only two kids hundreds of years ago infertility issues after all no birth control.

 

[TBRS1]

Society structure used to be very rigid and controlled too. The rules were quite strict.

How you dressed. How you spoke.
How you respected your station in life - who you would and would not try to socialise with.
Marriage was pretty much obligatory and often arranged without consent.

Partying and searching for entertainment at least once a week was the sole preserve of the very wealthy, and certainly for rural areas entertainment was pretty much limited to religious festivals 4 times a year. That was a young person's only chance to find a partner they actually liked instead of getting married off to someone they've never met before.

People that were unable to fit within this social paradigm for any reason were usually institutionalised, unless you were extremely wealthy in which case you could afford to keep the afflicted person at home and hidden from public view. People were more concerned about the stigma that went with having a defective child than they were about helping the child adapt. Sink or swim, only the toughest survived.

I have to import my bazaar clothing choices. If I wore what is locally available, I'd be wearing Carhartt, cammo, and clunky work boots.

100 years ago, everybody (who wasn't wealthy) wore what was locally available - so most folks looked about the same.

Likewise, people learn vocal styles, worlds, accents, and sentence structure via observation - without mass media, easy travel, and mobility, most folk spoke the way people around them did - more or less.

Differences would have to cross a noticeable threshold before they would be noticed as problematic.

Aspies aren't generally going to cross that threshold, but people with more severe issues would. These are the ones who got locked in the attic.

 

[Outdated]

100 years ago, everybody (who wasn't wealthy) wore what was locally available - so most folks looked about the same.

This also becomes a rigid societal structure though, and anyone that deliberately wears something different is seen as some sort of exhibitionist or as being deliberately provocative.

As an example - shoes. People that live in cold climates need them, but it's gone far beyond simple need and has become a social standard. I live in a hot climate, here people only wear shoes in winter, or for a specific purpose such as work boots or dress shoes. This means I get around for most of the year barefoot, in the supermarket, in the take away food place. When people from colder climates see this they are disgusted and respond as if I'm breaking all the rules of hygiene whilst conveniently ignoring the fungal infections that infest their shoes.

In Australia you'll see barefoot people all over the place except for in Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart. In those cities wearing shoes is an unspoken compulsory dress code and you'll get kicked out of places for not wearing any.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

My wife has always gone barefoot at home.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

This also becomes a rigid societal structure though, and anyone that deliberately wears something different is seen as some sort of exhibitionist or as being deliberately provocative.

As an example - shoes. People that live in cold climates need them, but it's gone far beyond simple need and has become a social standard. I live in a hot climate, here people only wear shoes in winter, or for a specific purpose such as work boots or dress shoes. This means I get around for most of the year barefoot, in the supermarket, in the take away food place. When people from colder climates see this they are disgusted and respond as if I'm breaking all the rules of hygiene whilst conveniently ignoring the fungal infections that infest their shoes.

In Australia you'll see barefoot people all over the place except for in Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart. In those cities wearing shoes is an unspoken compulsory dress code and you'll get kicked out of places for not wearing any.

I’ve never understood why shoes must be worn in shops, restaurants, etc in America. Especially when tiny strap sandals count as shoes.

Maybe parasites living in feet? I think these are in Africa or tropical areas, not temperate USA.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

Wife told me obvious reason liability broken glass or dish.

 

[Mary Terry]

I’ve never understood why shoes must be worn in shops, restaurants, etc in America. Especially when tiny strap sandals count as shoes.

Maybe parasites living in feet? I think these are in Africa or tropical areas, not temperate USA.

I used to have some fake sandals to wear in Florida. They had stretchy straps that looked like sandal straps but no soles were attached to the straps.