FAQ about the Causes of Autism

Believe it or not, almost no one knows (accurately) what causes autism in children.

Most experts believe that it is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. But then again, even those experts do not seem to have a definite answer about how and why! For most people and parents, especially, this uncertainty can bring extreme levels of frustration.

The good news is that there is a subsequent increase in the amount of research that is being conducted on this field of study. We should, hopefully, be party to a lot more information about autism in the near future.

Controversies Galore –

This entire concept of ‘causes of autism’ is an extremely controversial topic. A number of people are passionate about this topic and hold very strong beliefs and opinions on this topic.  A lot of books, TV programs and articles have helped in raising the overall awareness about this topic; and have, on the flipside, heated up the argument.

Do vaccines have a hand in causing autism?

There are a few theories that do connect the two. According to them, MMR (Mumps-Measles-Rubella) vaccine may have caused for some sort of intestinal problems and this may have led to the development of autism in the long run. The second theory of these controversial theories has suggested that thimerosal, which is a mercury-based preservative, is responsible for the onset of autism.

Can genetic factors contribute to autism?

It is possible that autism has genetic factors contributing to it; and some families have shown the likelihood of autistic members giving birth to children who suffer from autism as well. It has also been noticed that families with one autistic child are likely to give birth to yet another autistic child if they try procreating again.

Could bad parenting cause autism?

The answer is a definite NO. Autism cannot, at any given point in time, be caused by bad parenting. Dr. Kanner is the first man who was to identify autism as a unique condition had believed that ‘refrigerator’ mothers who were cold towards their children were responsible for causing autism. He had been wrong about this one conclusion. His misinterpretation of the cause of autism has created an entire generation of parents who have wrongly blamed themselves for the state of their child’s health. Fortunately for us, this generation has been spared the trouble.

Does atypical brain development have a place in the list of causes of autism?

Some researchers claim that they have found a difference between the typical brain and the brain of an autistic child. Children or individuals with autism have been seen to have larger brains. They also seem to be capable of processing information differently, in comparison to their typically-brained counterparts. In simpler words, the wiring of their brain is different. There is a lot of research being conducted at the University of Pittsburgh.