Possible Causes Of Autism

What are the Possible Causes of Autism?  It is important to keep in mind that autism is not one disorder with one cause.  Rather, it is a group of related disorders with many different causes.  In most instances, autism is likely caused by a combination of genetic risk factors that interact with environmental risk factors.  Several autism susceptibility genes have been identified, meaning that an individual will be more likely to develop autism if they have a specific variant of this gene, or in some cases, a rare mutation in the gene.  Many genes likely contribute to autism.  These specific genes are believed to interact with certain environmental factors.  A great deal of research is currently focused on identifying how both genetic and environmental risk factors contribute to autism.  Although some genetic factors have been identified, less is known about the specific environmental factors that contribute to autism.  Exposure to environmental agents such as infectious agents (maternal rubella or cytomegalovirus) or chemical agents (thalidomide or valproate) during pregnancy can cause autism.  About 10-15% of cases have a specific, identifiable genetic cause, such as Fragile X Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis,, and Angelman's Syndrome.

There is a growing interest among researchers about the role of the function and regulation of the immune system, both within the body and the brain, in autism.  Piecemeal evidence over the past 30 years suggests that people with autism may experience inflammation in the central nervous system.  There is also emerging evidence from animal studies that illustrates how the immune system can influence behaviors related to autism.  Autism Speaks is working to extend awareness and investigation of potential immunological issues to researchers outside the field of autism as well as those within the autism research community.

While the possible causes of autism are complex, it is clear that it is not caused by bad parenting.  Dr. Leo Kanner, the psychiatrist who first described autism as a unique condition in1943, believed that it was caused by cold, unloving mothers.  Bruno Bettelheim, a renowned professor of child development perpetuated this misinterpretation of autism.  Their promotion of the idea that unloving mothers caused their children's autism created a generation of parents who carried the tremendous burden of guilt for their children's disability.  In the 1960's and 70's, Dr. Bernard Rimland, the father of a son with autism, who later founded the Autism Society of America and the Autism Research Institute, helped the medical community understand that autism is a biological disorder, and is not caused by cold parents.

Source:  2010 Autism Speaks Inc.

Get Involved In Your Child's Health

A child should be healthy at the time of vaccination. We have come across numerous compelling cases of children who had compromised immune systems at the time of vaccination. The most common finding was that the child was prone to ear infections and had been on and off of anitbiotics even during the time of vaccination.  Giving vaccinations to a child who is suffering from any type of illness or is on antiobiotics can be postponed to prevent adverse actions from occurring.  While not all children will have an adverse reaction, there are some children who are susceptible, especially if their immune system is compromised at the time.   Vaccines should be given when your child is healthy, not when they are suffering from a cold, ear ache or in any other way their health is being questioned.   Many doctors will claim that it is just fine to give your child numerous vaccines while their immune system is compromised, but you do have the right to delay your child's vaccines in this case, so why take the risk if your child is not at optimal health?

Possible Causes of Autism

Contributing Factors

While there is currently no definitive cause, there seems to be a combination of factors that can contribute to the cause of autism.  If some or multiple of these factors are present, it seems that a child who receives the vaccines can have a reaction almost immediately.   

Some possible causes of autism and contributing factors, in addition to vaccination include:

Vaccination Timing  Children who have received multiple vaccines in one or more doctor’s visits have in many cases had and immediate reaction to the vaccine.  For those children who have had the vaccinations spaced out among visits, the likelihood of developing autism is smaller.

For more information, click here: Autism by Dr. Veira Scheibner and Bronwyn Hancock BSc. 

Thyroid Deficiency  Thyroid deficiency and autism are possibly connected when there is a thyroid hormone deficiency during early development.

For information, click here: The Thyroid-Autism Connection

High Testosterone Levels   In studies done regarding testosterone in utero and the connection it may have with autism, research has shown that high levels of testosterone exposure have been prevalent in those children who have been diagnosed with autism. 

For more information, click here: Autism linked to Testosterone?  

Vitamin D Deficiency   Vitamin D is crucial to brain development in the early stages of life.  It is plausible that there is a connection relating to a lack of Vitamin D during pregnancy or after birth and autism.  Brain and blood of autistic individuals most times show oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.  Ironically enough, Vitamin D is known for reducing inflammatory cytokines which have been associated with brain impairment.

For more information, click here: Vitamin D and the Brain

Spacing Between Children   A study shows children born less than 2 years apart, the likelihood of having an autistic child increases, as opposed to children who were spaced 3 or more years apart.

For more information, click here: Study:  Spacing Babies Close May Raise Autism Risk

Lack of Folate   Lack of Folate during pregnancy in women may also be a contributing factor to autism.  In some cases, a lack of Folate both during pregnancy and after birth can cause affect neurological function.  Furthermore, some children diagnosed with autism showed lower levels of Folate at the time of diagnosis.

For more information, click here: Autism and Folate Deficiency by Virginia Hughes

Vitamin B12 Deficiency  Vitamin B12 is another important vitamin needed for healthy development.  In autism, some children have a thin myelin surrounding their brain which is dependent on B12.  It is also responsible for the development of the intestines.  In cases where B12 is deficient, large spaces can form in the small intestines allowing for undigested food and toxins to enter the bloodstream and as a result causes the body to become sensitive to these foods and toxins in the future.

For more information, click here: B12 and Autism

Living Close To High Volume Freeways   Research shows that those children who lived close to a freeway at birth were twice as likely to develop autism. This theory did not hold true however, for those living close to other highly trafficked streets.  The researchers theorized that the type and sheer quantity of chemicals distributed on highways are different from those on even the busiest city roadways.

For more information, click here: Study:  Living Near a Highway May Contribute to Autism Risk

Living in Proximity to Toxic Landfills   In a recent study done by several academic departments at UMDNJ, the relationship between children living close to landfills and autism may be causal.  The repeated exposure to a mixture of toxicants may be more prevalent among those who have been exposed in early development, thus proposing a link between the two. 

For more information, click here: Autism Spectrum Disorders and Identified Toxic Land FIlls: Co-Occurence Across States

Mitochondrial Damage or Disease   Children who suffer from damaged mitochondria or a dysfunction can have cognitive impairments parallel to autism.  The research suggests that autistic children do not receive enough oxygen, which lowers mitochondrial activity and at the same time have elevated levels of pyruvate, which the mitochondria cannot process fast enough to keep up with the demand for energy.  This combination amplifies brain dysfunction.

For more information, click here: Cellular Energy Defects Discovered in Autistic Children                                                                                                            Children With Autism Have Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Study Finds

Family History   Children who come from a family with a history of autoimmune diseases are more susceptible to Autism.  These diseases, such as Celiac and Rheumatoid Arthritis, provide the stage for a child who may have autoimmune vulnerability, where toxins or pathogens can damage or trigger autoimmune responses that interfere with normal brain development.

For more information, click here: Autoimmune Disease and Gluten                                                                                                                                                     Autism Tied to Autoimmune Diseases in Immediate Family

Toxins   Toxins and neurotoxins in the environment have been a key element in links with autism.  PCB’s from India and China, Dioxin, along with the release of lead and mercury into the environment have been known to create direct connection to autism in children by effecting brain development.

For more information, click here: The Thyroid-Autism Connection

Characteristics of the Child    Certain characteristics of the child may make him or her more susceptible to developing autism.  This can include low birth weight or weight of child during childhood, other autoimmune vulnerabilities such as Celiac disease, the obvious genetic make-up of the child, prenatal or perinatal problems with the child, and developmental, mental, or physical growth that is behind or delayed.

For more information, click here: Physical Characteristics of Autism                                                                                                                                                        Causes of Autism

Jaundice    A recent study done in 2010 in Denmark suggests that many children who got jaundice following birth were 56% more likely to be diagnosed with "pervasive developmental disorder," a mild form of autism.  In addition, they were nearly twice as likely to have any form of psychological developmental disorder during childhood.  In the past, although jaundice has been suspected to have a connection with autism, little research has been done to follow up.  This is the first study to look at a large amount of children and present statistics that indicate jaundice could be a direct cause.

For more information, click here:  Jaundice May Increase Risk of Autism, Developmental Problems

Siblings   Families that have an autistic child have an increased risk of having a second child with autism.  A study of autistic regression in siblings found that younger siblings have a 1 in 5 chance, or 20% chance of developing an autism spectrum disorder.  This is considerabley higher than the previous estimate of 3-10% bases on small studies that used a variety of methods to diagnos ASD. This research also found a higher rate of autism  among baby brothers (about 1 in 4, or 25%) than among baby sisters (about 1 in 9, or 11%).  The study also found that for an infant with more than one sibling on the spectrum, the risk of developing ASD was about 1 in 3. 

For more information, click here:  Baby Siblings at Risk

Possible Early Detection & Treatment

New Children's Study May Lead to Earlier Detection of Autism Risk

"** The information presented or linked to here is NOT medical advice and cannot be relied on as a substitute for such advice.  No medical treatement should be avoided or attempted without prior consultation with a licensed physician. **"