What causes autism spectrum disorders?

Answer 1

Response:Researchers and mental health experts are still investigating the causes of autism and AS. Many believe that the pattern of behavior that characterizes AS may have many causes. There seems to be a hereditary component to AS, and research indicates that in some cases AS may be associated with other mental health disorders such as depression and Bipolar disorder. Researchers are also looking into whether environmental factors that affect brain development might play a role. Contrary to the incorrect assumptions some may make about people with the disorder, AS is not caused by emotional deprivation or the way a person has been brought up. Because some of the behaviors exhibited by someone with AS may be seen by others as intentionally rude, many people wrongly assume that AS is the result of bad parenting - it isn't. It's a neurobiological disorder whose causes are not yet fully understood. Currently, there is no cure for the disorder - kids with AS become adults with AS. But many lead full and happy lives, and the likelihood of achieving this is enhanced with appropriate education, support, and resources. Response:The actual causes of Asperger's disorder are unknown, and there is no real cure.

Nor is there much known agreement on what the best courses of treatment are beyond management of the demonstrated symptoms, deficits, and maladjustments. But persons with Asperger's can live comparatively normal lives.

Response:Asperger's Syndrome and autism are more likely to occur in families that already have people with those conditions in them. Children of men over age 40 are more likely to have children with autism spectrum disorders than men who are under age 30 when they have their children. The researchers had not determined whether this was due to sociocultural factors, more genetic mutations in sperm-producing cells as one ages, or something else.

The article "Combination of Early Detection, Timely Treatment Hold Promise for Autism" indicates that older fathers and mothers, low birth weights, shorter pregnancies, and too little oxygen during birth might "be associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorders". Another study shows that mothers who take the epilepsy drug valproate while pregnant are more likely to have children with autism. These are early findings, so valproate might not be the cause, and it might instead have more to do with which epileptic women are prescribed valproate.

In the related links section are articles from ScienceDaily.com on autism research, including the one on older fathers. There are additional links on genetic studies of autism in the related question "Which chromosome is associated with Asperger's Syndrome?"

Response:Asperger's is believed to be hereditary, however it occurs more on the male side than the female side. I have Asperger's (diagnosed), and my dad has suspected Asperger's (undiagnosed), and it is the same of many people at our local Asperger's group - most of the adults are undiagnosed because the NHS ignored Asperger's up until about the 1990's and so many adults were missed, but are now thought to have AS as they have similar behaviour problems to their sons who have Asperger's, but now the NHS isn't really bothered about patching up the problems it made. Primarily focusing on those under 25.

That doesn't mean that no female has Asperger's, there are a few females with Asperger's, for example Claire Sainsbury - author of Martian in the Playground and daughter of Lord Sainsbury (owner of Sainsbury's Supermarkets in the UK) has Asperger's (the book Martian in the Playground is her story of how she was treated at school with Asperger's).

Quite ironically as well when Grange Hill depicted someone with Asperger's at the school that person also was female, maybe the research team should have done better homework on that one!

With Asperger's being a DNA mutation there will be an increase over time in the number of people who have AS - for example one person with AS has 3 children, 2 of which have AS, then they go on again and have another 3 children and 2 of them also have AS that's 4 people with AS, and the other person who doesn't have AS has the DNA and passes it on to their children you could possibly have up to 9 people with AS from one family in two generations (maybe even more if they have even more children).

Also despite people with Asperger's lacking social skills and finding it hard to make friends, or be romantically involved, with recent changes in communication through the internet social skills are becoming less and less of a necessity, thus further increasing the Asperger's population.

Response:it comes usually by genetics.

Answer 2

There are several but mutation of several genes is the main one. And vaccines DO NOT cause it. The nervous system including sensory receptors in the skin are involved. The thickness of the cortex on the surface of the brain also is involved.

Answer 3

We don't know that yet. You will hear a lot about people saying vaccines can cause autism, but it seems unlikely and we don't know for certain. It's just skepticism as of right now.

Answer 4

With strong evidence, genetic as it is hereditary.

Answer 5

Autism is a normal human variation - just like being neurotypical, just like skin color, sex, or eye color. Autism is genetic in nature, thus it is often hereditary going through families.