Posted on 12/17/2017 4:39:27 AM PST by Neoliberalnot
Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disorder, and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and environment may play a role.
Genetics. Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Still other genes may affect brain development or the way that brain cells communicate, or they may determine the severity of symptoms. Some genetic mutations seem to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously. Environmental factors. Researchers are currently exploring whether factors such as viral infections, medications or complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants play a role in triggering autism spectrum disorder.
(Excerpt) Read more at mayoclinic.org ...
Genetics. Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. Still other genes may affect brain development or the way that brain cells communicate, or they may determine the severity of symptoms. Some genetic mutations seem to be inherited, while others occur spontaneously. Environmental factors. Researchers are currently exploring whether factors such as viral infections, medications or complications during pregnancy, or air pollutants play a role in triggering autism spectrum disorder. No link between vaccines and autism spectrum disorder
One of the greatest controversies in autism spectrum disorder centers on whether a link exists between the disorder and childhood vaccines. Despite extensive research, no reliable study has shown a link between autism spectrum disorder and any vaccines. In fact, the original study that ignited the debate years ago has been retracted due to poor design and questionable research methods.
Avoiding childhood vaccinations can place your child and others in danger of catching and spreading serious diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles or mumps.
Risk factors
The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder is rising. It's not clear whether this is due to better detection and reporting or a real increase in the number of cases, or both.
Autism spectrum disorder affects children of all races and nationalities, but certain factors increase a child's risk. These may include:
Your child's sex. Boys are about four times more likely to develop autism spectrum disorder than girls are. Family history. Families who have one child with autism spectrum disorder have an increased risk of having another child with the disorder. It's also not uncommon for parents or relatives of a child with autism spectrum disorder to have minor problems with social or communication skills themselves or to engage in certain behaviors typical of the disorder. Other disorders. Children with certain medical conditions have a higher than normal risk of autism spectrum disorder or autism-like symptoms. Examples include fragile X syndrome, an inherited disorder that causes intellectual problems; tuberous sclerosis, a condition in which benign tumors develop in the brain; and Rett syndrome, a genetic condition occurring almost exclusively in girls, which causes slowing of head growth, intellectual disability and loss of purposeful hand use. Extremely preterm babies. Babies born before 26 weeks of gestation may have a greater risk of autism spectrum disorder. Parents' ages. There may be a connection between children born to older parents and autism spectrum disorder, but more research is necessary to establish this link."
There are causative factors and we aren't finding them. We can't afford to diddle around and wait until we hit 20% or so of our children getting this condition. It's horrific enough already.
This needs to be a true national priority.
My friend Sharon, one of the coterie of engineers' and programmers' wives associated with our Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts, calls this "nerds mating syndrome."
Freemasons are poisoning the water supply?
Seriously, it is not even clear that there is an absolute increase, or whether it's just labeling: a person who would once have been called "a bit weird" or "very awkward" is now "Autism Spectrum."
It could be that the "causative factor" is as simple as the State and Federal money that pours into government schools for every child on whom they can put a "special needs" label.
16 year-old (high-functioning) Autistic daughter -
over the years my wife and I have come to realize that we both have many of the components of Autism-Spectrum Disorder, esp. looking back on our child-hoods.
We have apparently both adapted well over the years and both are (or seem) relatively normal in most respects.
But we have worked hard to give our daughter the best chances possible of living a "normal" life (with zero help, thank God, of the local or Fed Gubmints).
ASD is not a "sentence" to be endured, but a "thorn in the flesh" to be managed with Grace from above.
If it can be caused by environmental factors then why not vaccines as well?? Truly just wondering.
“This needs to be a true national priority. “....
It will never become a “priority” until it hits the kids of those who could do something to eradicate it.
I have strong opinions of what causes (or contributes) to autism as my grandson, now 21 was perfectly fine until he hit the age of 3 then all hell broke loose and he started getting his immunizations. Don’t get me started!
Growing up in suburbia in the baby boom era where we kids had run of the neighborhood and of town easily i can say there not only wa there no autism but that now, having raised my kids in the military, wher, again, there are a lot of kids every third family has a boy with autism. Including in my own extended family and in laws
As a registered nurs with a BSN i not only have done research but can skim this Mayo Clinic piece and call BS
the Mayo Clinic needs pharmaceutical and medical industry money and favor like any other half assed health care conglomerate who are sick care and not health care
Autism is an environmental epidemic
Multiple Vaccines taken together might not cause it but is a practice which is at least senseless and uneccessary
Fetal ultrasounds are completely unnecessary and must be looked st as causative
Rampant use of antibiotics
Lack of breast feeding as causative for ear infections has already been cited
The use of plastics, which is new since the 1960s microwaves. Microwaving plastics
And mothers being gone for well over 70% of the childs awake life. How stupid is that? Can’t be helpful
I think many people have, over the generations, and will continue to do so. (On the other hand, some with undiagnosed Asperger's or OCD probably drank themselves to death.)
There was also little television and no computers. Babies and toddlers did not stare at screens for hours.
I have never been diagnosed, but certainly hit on all the behaviors “on paper”.
I think when I was a kid, i was forced to adapt to what other people thought was normal behavior. Now most folks think you have to adapt to their behavior.
So are there more kids with a disorder now, or is it just that we’re bringing attention to all the kids with quirks?
You don’t know kids wth autism. Talk to themselves, bang their head against the wall, never talk, never smile don’t know their name kids
I never knew anyone like that growing up. I know eight of them in my close circle.
You might think you know what you’re talking about but no
Please read the article. Genetics, environmental pollutants, pregnant women getting the flu and infections during pregnancy, immigrants with no vaccinations entering the country and bringing in who knows what diseases.
I was born in 71 and have lived with a list of problems that no one I’m related to has. My younger sister fared far better than me.
At times I really wonder.....
It’s the six-month MMR vaccine. Now given at two years in many places.
It’s not the 19th century. There is no longer open air markets in the midst of waste and refuse due to a lack of public sanitation.
Infants should stay at home as much as possible.
We vaccinate at 5, just before Kindergarten. Any earlier and a parent is playing Russian roulette with a lifetime of despair.
What about other countries’ low incidences of autism?
I don't agree with this at all. I think the amount has always been constant, it's just that before these modern times, no one had a collective name for it, nor did the vast majority of people work with their intellects, but rather worked as human machines--that is serfs, peasants, farmer workers, etc.
I started using ancxestry.com for my family about ten years ago, and now have done numerous genealogy studies for several others. One thing shines through--every family has had it's criminals, ne'er-do-wells, hermits, unsuccessful uncles, spinsters and others labeled in this manner. I believe they were nothing more than autistic.
Seriously, it is not even clear that there is an absolute increase, or whether it’s just labeling: a person who would once have been called “a bit weird” or “very awkward” is now “Autism Spectrum.””
Good point. Yes, relabeling is pointed out by the Mayo clinic.
OK, science fans: so how come we have increasing numbers of kids showing up on the autism spectrum?
due to better detection and reporting
Also due to the widening of the “Autism spectrum’. The definition of autism in the past was much, much narrower.
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