This increased attention can be attributed to two main reasons:

1. The Continuous Increase in the Number of Children with Autism

Global studies indicate a rising prevalence of autism over the years, as shown in the table below:

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA.

Global reports indicate that approximately 67 million people worldwide suffer from autism.

In the Arab world:

• Egypt: About 800,000 children with autism.
• Saudi Arabia: About 120,000 children with autism.
• United Arab Emirates: The prevalence among newborns increased to 1 in 88, or 1.1%, up from 1 in 110 (0.9%).

Comparing autism prevalence with other disabilities highlights that it is one of the most widespread and rapidly increasing developmental disorders:

• Childhood diabetes: 1 in 500 children.
• Down syndrome: 1 in 800 children.
• Childhood cancer: 1 in 300 children.
• Cerebral palsy: 1 in 275 children.
• Hearing impairment: 1 in 999 children.
• Visual impairment: 1 in 1111 children.

2. Lack of Consensus Among Experts on Autism Causes

Diagnosing autism remains complex. Numerous theories attempt to explain its causes, yet none are universally applicable. A theory may explain autism in some children but fail in others. Key theories include:

• Genetic theory: Autism is linked to specific genes.
• Environmental theory: Causes include pregnancy complications, viral infections, or toxins.
• Neurological theory: Structural differences in the brain and cerebellum of autistic individuals, along with neurotransmitter irregularities (dopamine, serotonin).

A New Perspective on Autism

Experts agree that autism directly affects verbal and non-verbal communication, social activity, and imagination.

Recent studies show that these processes rely on multiple interconnected brain centers, not a single one. Examples:

• Language: Requires coordination among Wernicke’s area, Broca’s area, and the motor cortex.
• Imagination: Involves a broad neural network called the “mental workspace.”
• Reality vs. imagination processing: Neural signals flow differently depending on whether the brain is imagining or perceiving reality.
• Social skills: Depend on multiple brain centers to understand roles, relationships, and emotional cues.

Thus, autism is a disorder of brain center coordination. For example, a child may hear a sound but not respond to their name because proper response requires integration between auditory centers, Wernicke’s area, sensory cortex, and motor cortex.

Importance of This Perspective

This understanding helps:

1. Define a unified definition of autism.
2. Explain why each autistic child is different, due to variations in brain development and connectivity.
3. Answer why autism is not “curable”:

• Unlike red blood cells, which regenerate every four months, brain cells do not regenerate.
• If brain cells regenerated, a child would forget all learned knowledge every four months.
• Therefore, the atypical interactions between brain centers persist from birth to death.

The Role of Training and Learning

Although brain cells do not regenerate, training and learning strengthen connectivity between centers, reducing many autism symptoms without altering the brain’s basic structure.

Supporting the Chinese Medicine Theory

Chinese medicine suggests that brain development is influenced by kidney and bone marrow function.

• Weak maternal kidney function during pregnancy may impair absorption of Vitamin B6 and other vital nutrients.
• This deficiency may hinder Vitamin B12 absorption, affecting fetal brain development and increasing autism risk.