Autism is often identified as an epidemic. This graphic looks at the reality behind the autism epidemic and not just the hype.

Jim, I just finished reading "Letting Him Out." I'm sorry you've suffered for decades, protecting that little autistic boy inside you. But I'm glad you're considering letting him out of that walled prison you've kept him in all these years. I like knowing the real you. Thank you, but I don't get enough credit for how well I've done without him. I've accomplished a lot — so much that people don't recognize the sacrifices I've made. They can't see my deep scars. It is so tirin

I have cursed myself, as a matter of survival. As a child, walking past a table of classmates in the cafeteria, and hearing their mocking laughter, I avoided emotional collapse only by — paradoxically — supporting the claims of my tormentors. I distracted myself from their words by doubling down with internal, vile self-indictment. Somehow my uncontrollable mind screams were able to mask the external cruelty.