Relatively high number of autism diagnoses in Eindhoven

Eindhoven is in the centre of attention again after the results of a study of the British University of Cambridge were published last week. Researchers of the university found that in the Eindhoven region three to four times as many children were diagnosed with autism than in two other regions (Haarlem and Utrecht), which are comparable in size and socio-economic status. The main difference between the three areas is the fact that Eindhoven has about 15% more jobs in technology and IT. People working in these sectors are often so-called 'systemizers' and the researchers were trying to proof that autism is highly heritable and that it has a genetic component related to the skill of 'systemizing'. This could be the possible explanation for the outcome of the research.

For responses to the results of this research, read the full article on Eindhoven News.