Autism Causes

In the past five years, research scientists have identified specific gene changes associated with autism. These mutations are rare, and there are more than 100 of them. It is now believed that these genes may cause the autism disorder, although environmental factors certainly play a role.

Some of the risk factors associated with developing autism include having older parents at birth; experiencing an extremely premature birth; enduring a mother’s illness during pregnancy; having low birth weight; and being exposed to potential oxygen deprivation during birth. It is also possible that mothers who have been exposed to high levels of air pollution, pesticides and other environmental pollutants may be at higher risk of producing a child with an autism disorder. All of these issues, in combination with the genetic predisposition, may be factors in the rise of autism, but more research is necessary to pinpoint the cause and effect of each situation.

Facts and Falsehoods

Despite the growing body of research devoted to autism’s causes, there are still a lot of myths associated with the development of this disorder. Because of well-meaning people whose research skills may lead them down the wrong path, particularly on the Internet, and because the exact cause of the disorder is so murky, many people wind up unable to separate what’s true from what’s merely speculation or outright falsehood.