From AI:

Current studies and reports on autism within the Amish community present a complex picture. Some early anecdotal claims and limited studies suggested a very low prevalence of autism in the Amish population, with some estimates as low as 1 in 15,000 children in certain communities. However, more recent research has found the presence of autism at a rate closer to 1 in 271 children, which, while still lower than the general U.S. population, confirms that autism does exist within the community.

The reasons for this lower reported rate are not fully understood, but potential factors include a genetic "founder effect" from the small number of original ancestors, different cultural and social dynamics that may affect diagnosis, and a general lack of access to or use of modern healthcare and diagnostic services. The Amish community's closed genetic pool can lead to a higher prevalence of certain rare genetic disorders, but a direct link between this and autism has not been definitively established, and some studies on consanguinity and autism have had mixed results.

Given the complexities of studying a closed, distinct community, would you be interested in learning about some of the specific genetic disorders that are more common in the Amish population, to better understand the role of genetics in their health profile?