| As the public has become increasingly aware of the | | | | identified. |
| incidences of ASDs, many parents are left wondering | | | | ASDs do tend to appear more frequently in people |
| what causes this disorder. | | | | with certain other medical conditions like untreated |
| No Single Cause | | | | phenylketonuria, fragile X syndrome, congenital rubella |
| Researchers still do not know a lot about what causes | | | | syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis. |
| ASDs, although they have learned a great deal about | | | | Environmental Factors |
| the symptoms these disorders cause. While the | | | | According to The Autism Society, research indicates |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports | | | | that environmental toxins are contributing to the rise in |
| that, for most affected people, there is no single | | | | ASD occurrances. Heavy metals such as mercury are |
| known cause, genetics and the environment are | | | | more prevalent in our environment now than they |
| contributing factors. | | | | have been in the past, and build-up of these toxins can |
| Genetics | | | | lead to nervous system and brain damage and |
| The CDC reports that, among identical twins, if one | | | | developmental delays. |
| twin has autism, the other will be affected around 75% | | | | While there are theories that vaccines, particularly |
| of the time. In non-identical twins, the rate at which the | | | | those with mercury content, cause autism, research |
| other child is affected drops to 3%. Siblings of a child | | | | has not made a conclusive connection between |
| with ASD have a 2% to 8% chance of being affected | | | | vaccines and ASDs. |
| by an ASD. | | | | What Else Parents Should Know |
| Because there appears to be a pattern of ASDs in | | | | Autism is a treatable disorder, but it is a complex one, |
| many families, there is support for the genetic basis of | | | | both in terms of causes and manifestations of the |
| this disorder. No one gene has been identified as a | | | | disorder. Be sure that you check with your pediatrician |
| cause, however. Researchers are working on isolating | | | | at your child's regular visits to determine that he is |
| irregular segments of genetic code that may be | | | | meeting developmental milestones at the appropriate |
| present in children with autism. Research indicates that | | | | times. If you have a family history of autism, your child |
| some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, | | | | may need to be monitored more closely. |
| but so far no one "trigger" for development has been | | | | |