| The causes of autism are not yet known with | | | | material integrity. |
| certainty. Recent research suggests a link between | | | | Alternatively, some rare cases of autism appear to be |
| genetic susceptibility and environmental agents. Indeed, | | | | related to environmental factors. In the past several |
| there is evidence that no one factor causes autism | | | | years, there has been a great deal of controversy |
| and that perhaps there exists a synergy among | | | | over the incidence of autism with relation to childhood |
| several agents. This view is based upon the range of | | | | immunizations. To-date, there is no strong statistical |
| symptoms and severity among those who are | | | | correlation to support this proposal. |
| diagnosed as autistic. | | | | The prenatal environment has come into focus as a |
| There has been an apparent rise in the occurrence of | | | | possible origin, especially events taking place within the |
| autism since about 1980, but the root cause has not | | | | first eight weeks of gestation of the fetus. Although |
| been found. There is speculation that better diagnostic | | | | most infectious diseases appear not to be significant |
| techniques have uncovered cases that would | | | | contributors to autism, the rubella virus may be a |
| otherwise have gone unrecognized. | | | | suspect. Exposure to pesticides may have some |
| Research indicates tentatively that 90% of the autism | | | | effect, but the research is inconclusive. |
| cases have a genetic link. A specific gene of interest is | | | | Maternal folic acid levels may have some bearing, as |
| the Engrailed 2 (EN2) gene, which may account for | | | | folic acid is directly involved in neural tube development |
| 40% of autism cases. It is significant in normal neural | | | | in the fetus and has a direct effect on gene |
| development. If the gene's expression is disrupted in | | | | expression. Perhaps the most promising research |
| some way, it is believed that EN2 could impact | | | | finding recently has been the association of maternal |
| significantly on normal brain development. However, | | | | infection early in pregnancy with the child's later autism. |
| autism may be causes by the interaction and | | | | The cause of autism is most likely over determined, |
| malfunction of more than one gene. The research is | | | | meaning that more than one factor is involved. Given |
| on-going. | | | | the range of symptoms and severity of autism, this |
| Additionally, in a study conducted in 2007, three | | | | could well be so. |
| common factors were found to be of interest: older | | | | There are many more resources and information |
| maternal age, older paternal age, and birthplace of the | | | | about autism signs, symptoms, treatments, and cutting |
| mother outside Europe or North America. The higher | | | | edge medical research in, Autism: Everything Parents |
| parental age may suggest an issue with genetic | | | | And Caregivers Should Know About The Disorder. |