autism does exist here, but in much smaller numbers than in the US.
that said - it's quite possible that the reason the number is smaller is because the children aren't diagnosed as autistic. and it's always important to remember that autism isn't NEW to the US either, but it seems that every day the "spectrum" of autism is increased, therefore causing more children to fall into an "autism" diagnosis.
there is also a lot of misunderstanding about autism - both in the states and here in the DR. but even medical professionals are often unclear in the DR. we have a neighbor whose maid's child is supposedly autistic. i watched him one day and with my little experience in autism can tell you he's probably not. brain damaged, perhaps, but not autistic. my little doubt was more confirmed by the mother who told me he was diagnosed autistic because he fell from his crib and was oxigen-deprived for 2-3 minutes. oxigen deprivation doesn't cause autism, neither does falling from a crib.
so, yes,i think there are some cases here. but not nearly as prevalent as in the states.