Bee - The boys you describe were probably not autistic although they may have been learning disabled. Autism cuts across socio-economic boundaries. Its unlikely that an autistic child would be able to form even a dysfunctional friendship.

You're right about diagnosis. Autism is now an umbrella diagnosis that covers a wide range of abilities. At the very high end are those kids with Aspberger's syndrome. Next comes high-functioning autism and so on. The diagnosis and treatment and educational methods for autism are quite different than traumatic brain injury, hearing impairment, learning disabilities, ADD or ADHD. None of which are under the umbrella of autism.

My question is, why does Silicon Valley have such a high incidence of Autism and why does the downtown core of Vancouver, B.C. have such a high incidence? Is there a correlation between computer geeks and their autistic off-spring? The patterns are just beginning to emerge.

Donuel - I don't think the brain will yield any answers. I think we have to look at the auditory nerves leading to the brain. The answer is probably rooted in the ability to process language.