"There's no way to miss 10,000+% of cases, and that's the dramatic rate of increase. You're also cruelly ignoring the real world experience of parents and grandparents, who've watched their normal and healthy children be brain-injured, right before their own eyes."
No, they didn't.
In addition to "Better methods of detection and diagnosis" that OM mentioned, the definition of Autism has been expanded to the point that it isn't even recognized in the DSM anymore. That's right, Autism is no longer a thing. It now falls under Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which also includes Aspergers and whatnot.
Not only is it being diagnosed more easily (and readily) by doctors in the field, it's all the rage on social media with the kiddie set, who self diagnose themselves with Facebook ASD tests, and they tout it like it gives them some sot of street cred. pffffffft, you can see it on this site, with the 2020 influx proclaiming they have it by the ton.
Schools love it, as its brings them additional funds. This is a big industry. Remember how everyone had ADD when you were n school in the 90s then it became ADHD? Remember on how student were all on Ritalin back then? Well now the fad is ASD. Nerds, dorks, dweebs, or any kid not part of the Jock, Cheerleader clique is now Autistic.
And I (or anyone else who worked with Autism back in the 80s) can assure you that the vast majority of those who call themselves it are NOT anywhere remotely near what was called Autism back then. Just like ADD were simply called "unruly" then, ASD cases are just lonely misfits looking to belong to something, even if it's some that was considered a type of mental retardation [*old man voice] back in the day. That's right, Autism used to be a class of mental retardation. You can look it up.
Greta Thunberg claims it. David Byrne now says he had Aspergers. Gary Numan too.
Sorry, not according to those I worked with. Heck, I would be diagnosed with it today, as would you, OM, and just about anyone else on this site raging like - what's that word again - about poli and whatnot. No, really, take the online test. And stop giving Fauci such godly powers. Surely there must be a better use for tin foil.