When do people get autism?

Answer 1

Autism is caused by certain genes and by damage to those genes by environmental factors e.g. exposure to chemicals, Allergies, immunizations, and drugs in utero. Just as each child is impacted differently by autism, the causes are just as unique from child to child.

One example of a known and scientifically recognised cause of autism is the anticonvulsant drug sodium valproate (epilim / depakote) which, when taken by pregnant women, causes a 10% risk of autism in unborn babies.

This drug is still marketed to women of childbearing age, most of whom are not warned of the risk to their unborn child.

You can't "catch" autism, any more than you can catch blue eyes or brown hair.

There is no known cure for autism, although various therapies (e.g. gluten-free, dairy-free diet, although it is a very small percentage that benefits from this diet) do make a difference to outcomes for people with autism. Most beneficial and scientifically proven treatment is Applied Behavioral Analysis utilizing the verbal behavior approach.

Genetic therapy is looking promising for the future of people with autism.

Usually when you're conceived in your mother's womb The autism spectrum often involves genetics. There is no one cause for autism, and the reason for most cases remains a mystery beyond genes.

Answer 2

Autistic children develop signs of autism before the age of three.

Source: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th, text revision (DSM-IV-TR) ed. 2000.ISBN 0-89042-025-4. Diagnostic criteria for 299.00 Autistic Disorder

Answer 3

You cannot 'get' autism as autism is not an illness or disease.

Autism is a neurological difference so it starts during the second trimester of pregnancy when the brain is still forming and is primarily a result of genetics - there is little to no evidence of autism being a result of environmental factors. A person is born autistic and they remain autistic for life.

For the record a previous answer user mentions ABA - this is considered abuse, autistic children should not be forced to train like dogs to act like neurotypical children, long-term ABA has been shown to cause serious mental health problems in Autistic adults.

Answer 4

Autism usually is evident in the first three years of life, although in some children it's hard to tell when the problem develops

Answer 5

People don't 'get' autism. They are born with it.