What is Autism?

What Causes Autism?

Much speculation exists about the cause of autism but there are things we know for certain. In the vast majority of cases, individuals are born with autism as a result of their genetics. Children who have siblings with autism do have a higher risk of having autism as well, particularly if the children are twins. Having children at an older age increases the chances of your offspring having ASD as well.

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Besides genetics, there are a few other factors that we are aware of that can increase the chances of ASD in children. Certain prescriptions drugs taken during pregnancy, for example, have been linked to a higher chance of ASD.

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These drugs include valproic acid and thalidomide. Having other chromosomal or genetic conditions also can increase the chances of an ASD diagnosis, such as fragile X syndrome. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that there is some evidence to suggest that a critical period exists for ASD development in the time before, during and immediately after giving birth.There are still things we don’t know about what causes ASD or what other specific factors can influence its development. Over the last couple of decades, many theories have  circulated around the internet about the potential causes of ASD. One  thing we do know for certain, thanks to research, is that childhood  vaccines do not cause ASD.

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Signs of Autism

Most people are diagnosed with autism very early in life and boys tend to be diagnosed sooner than girls since symptoms of ASD can be missed  by parents and caregivers. Since boys experience ASD at a higher rate,  symptoms are not looked for or noticed as often as in girls and what may  be regarded as a quiet or shy disposition can often be signs of autism  instead.Since spotting the signs and symptoms of ASD early is a  key part of quality treatment for this condition, understanding the  signs can help you catch it earlier rather than later. There are many  symptoms of ASD and not all may apply to an individual, but here is how  ASD may manifest in a person:

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• Difficulty making friends and maintaining relationships
• Difficulty understanding social cues
• Interest in people but difficulty communicating
• Different reactions to certain sounds, tastes, smells or feelings. This can look like a hypersensitivity to sound, for example
• Repeated actions and routines
• Difficulty understanding their own and other’s feelings
• Trouble displaying their emotions and communicating their needs
• Having adverse reactions to touch or physical affection
• Special and obsessive interests
• Avoiding eye contact and a desire to be alone
• Stimming, or repetitive body motions, to help self-regulate their emotions

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Some  individuals may experience all of these symptoms while others may not.  Since autism exists on a spectrum, the severity of the condition will  greatly vary from person to person. For example, 31 percent of people experience an intellectual disability as a result of ASD while 44 percent of people with ASD have an average or above average IQ score.ASD is often accompanied by other conditions  as well, such as gastrointestinal issues such as GERD or acid reflux.  People who have ASD may also experience things such as seizures and  sleeping problems. Mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression,  may exist alongside ASD as well.