Well, compare this to autism. Of course there have always been autistic people; in the olden days they were simultaneously so few as to be a noted anomaly yet so present as to become a cliche--the hermits of the wilderness and the eccentric bug collectors of the placid English village.

Just last week a news item noted that one in 40 American children is diagnosed with autism. It may well be true that expanded diagnostic criteria and intense professional scrutiny of any toddler not within a prescribed "norm" may be partly the cause--but still?!?!?! Any reasonable person must conclude the numbers are now off the charts.