Abstract thinking is a prerequisite for one having an "imagination".
Diagnosed cases of autism has increased from 1 in 10,000 thirty (30) years ago to, i believe, 1 in 8 being the latest figure i seen.
The watching of children's TV programs during the past 25 years has not been conducive to the nurturing of the ability for one to engage in abstract thought .... primarily because said TV programs are not designed for the viewers to "
interact" with what is being broadcast, .... therefore no logical thought or deductibe thinking is required for enjoyment of watching said TV ...... and thus no nurturing of said mental attributes occurs.
Any child that has limited abilities of "
interacting" with other children or adults are thus diagnosed as being "autistic".