posted on Oct, 10 2007 @ 10:24 AM
Although the Amish may not have high cases of Autism they have extremely high cases of other diseases that are rare in the general public. Diseases
like Dwarfism, Maple Syrup Syndrome and Polydactylism. All of those are found in very large numbers in the Amish Community, basically because of what
is known as the founders effect.
The Amish in PA are all decendents of the original 200 founders. So over the years instead of "outbreeding" these diseases they have been
"inbread". What is extremely rare in the general population occurs frequently with devistating effects in the Amish Community.
Within the last fews years, there has been a specific Amish Medical Center set up in Lancaster PA to study the diseases and to find cures. They are
also now doing genetic testing and geneology work before young couples get married so that they know what the chances are ahead of time of them having
children with several handicaps and disabilities. The Amish Community went so far as to actually bring in young Amish Men from out west to try and
squash these genetic problems and mutations.
Just google Amish Diseases and you find tons of diseases and good reads.