OPEN MINDS, The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst Cover Story In March 1999, the California Department of Developmental Services issued the results of 12- year study claiming a 273% increase in reported cases of autism (from 2,778 to 10,360). For the sake of comparison, the population of California increased approximately 20% during this same time frame. In 1988, consumers with autism in all forms accounted for 4.9% of all consumers of Regional Center services in the state; ten years later, this proportion more than doubled to 9.4%. From these numbers, one might be convinced . . .