| Thus far, medical researchers have not been able to | | | | be diagnosed with the same condition, especially if he |
| find the actual cause of autism. It is believed that the | | | | is a first-degree relative. |
| disorder is caused by abnormalities in the brain | | | | Medical conditions like metabolic disorders, genetic |
| structure that results in a disorder in the mental | | | | disorders, developmental brain abnormalities and |
| development. The reason for this has never been | | | | neurological disorders acquired after birth are risk |
| pinpointed. Findings have only shown that patients with | | | | factors that may lead to autism. |
| autism have abnormalities in several areas of the brain. | | | | Environmental conditions that may aggravate genetic |
| Speculations point to several causes of autism. These | | | | risks increase the incidence of autism in the family. |
| include genetics, environmental factors, metabolic | | | | Rejected Speculations |
| disorders, viral infections or complications during | | | | There were several causes that were attributed to |
| pregnancy and delivery. | | | | autism, but these were eventually dismissed. Among |
| Genetically speaking, doctors are not able to narrow | | | | them were emotional trauma and vaccines. |
| down the cause of autism to a single gene. The | | | | It was believed that a child experiencing severe |
| disorder is a result of several unstable genes, but they | | | | emotional trauma could acquire autism. But this state is |
| are all unpredictable. As a result, isolating which gene | | | | a sign of anxiety disorder rather than autism. |
| may turn "bad" and cause autism is impossible. It is | | | | Mercury found in early vaccines contained neurotoxins, |
| suspected that the combinations of different unstable | | | | and were blamed for autism. However, researches |
| genes increases the risk of autism in a patient. | | | | have concluded that the amount of mercury in a |
| Risk Factors | | | | vaccine is not enough to cause such a disorder. There |
| If someone in the family has already been diagnosed | | | | is no actual link between vaccines and autism, so this |
| with autism, there is a higher risk that another child may | | | | theory was proven wrong. |