Published on 12, July, 2020
news article today in the Independent newspaper...
“We suspect that the early development of inherited autism was in part an evolutionary response to ultra-harsh climatic conditions at the height of the last Ice Age. Without the development of autism-related abilities in some people, it is conceivable that humans would not have been able to survive in a freezing environment in which finding food required enhanced skills”, she said.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/archaeology/prehistoric-autism-cave-paintings-barry-wright-penny-spikins-university-of-york-a8351751.html
Good to see those on the spectrum getting some positive acknowledgement..
Footnote:
commentators on the article (scroll down when on the link.... ), however, display varying degrees of human evolution... :)
the full academic paper btw.
www.degruyter.com/.../opar-2018-0016.pdf