Papyrus News

A study by researchers at Cornell University suggests a
link between increased watching of television by children and
increased prevalence of autism.  The study was based on examination of
two factors — rainy and snowy weather, and access to cable television
— which are known to be associated with increased TV watching.
Basically, in places where it rained or snowed more than usual, more
kids got autism.  And in communities that got access to cable TV before
other comparable communities, more kids got autism.

Here’s an article on the study and here’s the site of the full study.  (And here’s an interesting speculative article on the same topic.)

Critics
have suggested other possible causes for this correlation, including
the fact that parents who watch more TV might learn about autism and
thus seek diagnosis and treatment for their children.  It will be interesting to see further research.