Autism Causes - What Are They?

No one really has a definitive cause for autism, so identifying the causes can be tricky. "Spectrum" disorder is what autism is often described as, since there is not one single condition, but many varieties. Those who are severely autistic, often must be institutionalized, since they are unable to care for even their most basic needs, while those with milder forms such as Asperger's syndrome can function in society. Autism is quite complex and believed by most scientist to have multiple factors that attribute to it, not just one single cause. Many believe that genetics is some how involved in the process. Below we have listed some of the more probably theories for causes of autism.

One likely trigger of autism is prenatal stress, primarily from the mother. While there isn't actually proof yet, the concept is that prenatal stress can have a poor effect on the brain of an unborn baby which in some cases causes autism to develop. This can involve many stress factors, such as families not getting along, hard economic times and a number of other mental problems that the parents are dealing with.

While it is possible that prenatal stress could be a contributing element of autism, only a low number of scientists think that it is a cause. Up until now, a child who is predisposed to autism from their genetics could be more likely to be diagnosed with it if the family environment is disconcerting and if the mother was facing come emotional duress during her pregnancy.

Evidence linking autism to parents who have children when their are older has been brought forward as a possible cause. The mother's age has been shown to be a factor in whether a child is at risk for autism or not. While the father's age can also be a factor, it is less of one than the mother's age. Autism diagnosis has increased in recent years and this can be explained by the fact that parents are waiting longer to have children. In nations around the world, this is seen more in those countries that are developed or wealthy. This is not a black and white cause since, young parents give birth to autistic children and older parents give birth to healthy children. Older parents though are at a greater risk of giving birth to autistic children than younger parents, statistically speaking.

There is a belief in some researchers that autism may be on the increase in society due to toxins in the environment. The increase in the amount of people being diagnosed as autistic could be related to heavy metals, such as mercury and lead. Some of the likely causes of autism mentioned in research include pesticides and many toxic household cleaners. Compared to the past, today's society is bombarded with higher levels than ever of chemicals and toxins. Before specialists can agree whether these things are a potential cause of autism, more research will need to be conducted. Some experts still debate whether the incidence of autism is actually more prevalent, or whether the diagnosis is now more widely given than previously. There is a plethora of feasible bases for autism, and it will more than likely be a long time before there is any accord about what makes this sickness occur. The grounds for autism reviewed above cannot, however be thought of as the final word on this issue, however they are each worth being looked into further. This information was brought to you by http://www.eoptics.com/koali.html, your source for all things related on koali eyewear.