Autism, Hormones, Plastics & Diet: Correlation Analysis of Modern Exposures and Neurodevelopmental Risk

Description:This data exploration report explores the statistical correlations between rising autism prevalence and several modern environmental and lifestyle factors, including oral contraceptive use, plastic production (EDCs), maternal age, and diet-related diseases. Using publicly available time-series data from 1970 to 2020, the study applies Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis to identify potential signals in overlapping trends. Visualizations and summary statistics are included. While not claiming causation, the results highlight consistent, low-noise correlations across domains, warranting further scientific investigation. This work was independently conducted under the Culture Pulse project by Morf Engineering Inc. and is intended to support future interdisciplinary research into fetal neurodevelopment and environmental exposures.