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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffAutism has no single, known cause. Given the complexity of the disease, the range of autistic disorders and the fact that no two children with autism are alike, there are likely many causes. These may include:
- Genetic problems. A number of genes appear to be involved in autism. Some may make a child more susceptible to the disorder; others affect brain development or the way brain cells communicate. Still others may determine the severity of symptoms. Each problem in genes may account for a small number of cases, but taken together, the influence of genes may be substantial. Some genetic problems seem to be inherited, whereas others happen spontaneously.
- Environmental factors. Many health problems are due to both genetic and environmental factors, and this is likely the case with autism as well. Researchers are currently exploring whether viral infections and air pollutants, for example, play a role in triggering autism.
No link between vaccines and autism
One of the greatest controversies in autism is centered on whether a link exists between autism and certain childhood vaccines, particularly the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. No reliable study has shown a link between autism and the MMR vaccination. A study published in 1998 that theorized there could be a link has been retracted because there's little evidence to support that theory.
Avoiding childhood vaccinations can place your child in danger of catching serious diseases, including whooping cough (pertussis), measles or mumps.
- Kogan MD, et al. Prevalence of parent-reported diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder among children in the U.S. 2007. Pediatrics. 2009;124:1395.
- Augustyn M. Clinical features of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 24, 2010.
- Autism and genes. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/upload/autism_genes_2005.pdf. Accessed April 8, 2010.
- Bilder D, et al. Prenatal, perinatal and neonatal factors associated with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2009;123:1293.
- Baker JP. Mercury, vaccines, and autism: One controversy, three histories. American Journal of Public Health. 2008;98:244.
- Grether JK, et al. Risk of autism and increasing maternal and paternal age in a large North American population. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2009;170:1118.
- Bridgemohan C. Screening tools for autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 24, 2010.
- Millward C, et al. Gluten- and casein-free diets for autism spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD003498. http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003498.html. Accessed March 24, 2010. .
- Augustyn M. Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 24, 2010.
- Johnson CP, et al. Identification and evaluation of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2007;120:1183.
- Myers SM, et al. Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2007;120:1162.
- Greenspan SI, et al. Guidelines for early identification, screening, and clinical management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2008;121:828.
- Spreckley M, et al. Efficacy of applied behavioral intervention in preschool children with autism for improving cognitive, language, and adaptive behavior: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pediatrics. 2009;154:338.
- Buie T, et al. Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs: A consensus report. 2010;125(suppl):1.
- Canitano R. Epilepsy in autism spectrum disorders. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007;16:61.
- Golnik AE, et al. Complementary alternative medicine for children with autism: A physician survey. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2009;39:996.
- Wong VCN. Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2009;39:454.
- If you're concerned — Act early. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/concerned.html. Accessed April 8, 2010.
- Rice C. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders — Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, United States, 2006. Mortality and Morbidity Weekly. 2009;58:1.
- Sinha Y, et al. Chelation therapy and autism. British Medical Journal. 2006;333:756.
- Autistic disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed May 11, 2010.
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