Autism Refers To A Neuron Developmental Condition, Which

The study displayed a higher risk for children developing autism if a family member was already affected by the disorder and ten times more likely if a sibling was affected. This study concluded that genetics and environmental factors work together to play a role in the development of autism. Genetics was estimated at 83 percent and environmental influence was estimated at 17 percent. Even though genetics still plays a larger part in the development of autism, environmental factors play a role as well (Large Study Suggests, 2012; Staff, X.S, 2013).

While there are many theories there is no single cause of autism. One theory assumes multiple factors interacting in complex ways (i.e. genes, environment and brain) can cause autism. Genetics play a role but do not explain the full picture or the recent increase in reported cases. According to Volkmar and Weisner (2009), "Identical twins have identical genes, while fraternal twins share only some genes. The implication of this finding was that there was potentially a very strong genetic contribution in autism. A number of studies have shown that this is the case. " (p. 26). There are medical conditions associated with autism which include, phenylketonuria, congenital rubella, tuberous sclerosis, and Fragile X. The strongest associations are with Fragile X, a genetic condition causing intellectual disability and tuberous sclerosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart. There is no strong evidence that environmental etologies cause autism. Some researchers assume that environmental toxins can increase the rate of autism, but evidence proposed for environmental factors is based on a case by case report which is difficult to interpret (Volkmar & Weisner,

Even though there is no one specific genetic or environmental factor that scientists can prove directly causes Autism there are still many very likely theories about the subject. There are lots of ideas about how Autism is caused but they all stem out of two factors: Genetics and environmental conditions. All of the theories that are listed under genetics have to do with genetic mutations or anything else having to do with family history, etc. In correspondence with this, it turns out that there is a nine out of ten chance that if one twin is diagnosed with ASD then the other will be as well. Some families do not even have a family history of Autism, so it is clearly not like heart disease

Autism continues to spark countless discussions and debates throughout the medical field. Some doctors believe that autism is a neurological disorder that can and should be treated, as others continue to think it is simply a difference in human adaption that needs to be nurtured and acknowledged. Regardless of what autism may be, it continues to dramatically rise in the number of children and families affected. With autism being based on such a broad spectrum, the affects and causes leaves the medical world searching for answers in unending stacks of research.

Symptoms typically are apparent before children turn 3 years old. (7). When individuals are born as an identical twin or have first degree relatives who have autism, they are automatically at a higher risk for developing it themselves. Other risk factors include immune dysregulation, altered short chain fatty acids, genetic mutations involving the metabolism of vitamin D, infections, teratogens, or antibodies maternally. For every 68 boys who are born, 1 will likely have autism, as boys are about five times more likely to present with autism than girls are. (3). When the brains of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder are studied and compared with those who do not have the disorder, there are obvious differences. In the Autism Spectrum Disorder brain, there are alterations to the striatal circuits, a dysfunction in canonical neural circuits, and an abnormal basal ganglion connectivity. These striatal dysfunctions of the brain are evidence as to why abnormal behaviors occur in autistic patients (repetitive grooming, stereotypic motor routines, and deficits in social interaction and decision-making). There may even be evidence that links genetics to these specific neural circuits. (8). When MRI’s are taken on young autistic patients, the hyperplasia of their cerebral cortex can often be seen. Because the frontal and temporal lobes are important for social functioning and language development, these anatomical anomalies are likely to underlie the pathophysiology of autism.

It was also estimated that 1 out of 42 boys and 1 out of 189 girls will have autism in the United States. The CDC has also come up with these facts from statistics and researches; ASD is almost 5 times more common among boys. Parents who have a child with ASD, have a slight chance for their second child to have ASD. Children born to older parents are at a higher risk for having ASD. (Langone, 2002, p. 8). Individuals with autism are very unique; you will never meet one that is the same. Most ASD persons have exceptional abilities in visual skills, music, and academic

For many years, autism was rare, occurring in just five children per 100,000 live births. However, according to the Autism Research Institute, since the the early 1900's, the rate of

○ Patients with a sibling or twin with autism spectrum disorder are at higher risk for the condition

It is likely that multiple small factors, both environmental and genetic, make small contributions that ultimately lead to autism. For most cases of

Autism Spectrum Disorder, (ASD) is a development disorder and affects the brains normal development in social and communication skills. ASD is now defined as a single disorder and includes disorders that were previously considered separate such as Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Persuasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified. There is no exact cause of ASD, but scientists believe that a variety of factors both genetic and environmental may play a role. Scientists believe that several genes are involved in the development of ASD. “There is a genetic susceptibility to ASD. This was initially determined by twin and other family studies. Although many chromosomal and gene abnormalities have been associated with symptoms of ASD, none of these are present in all affected children” (Errol, 2014). Scientists believe that some genetic problems seem to be inherited, while others happen randomly. Although genetics do not fully explain the occurrence of ASD, researchers looked at the additional environmental causes such as prenatal and perinatal factors, early toxin exposure, viral or bacterial infections, vaccinations, and autoimmune concerns. Scientists are studying how environmental factors affect certain genes. By studying how environmental factors affect genes, it provides many new ways to study how ASD develops and changes over time.

Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)’s affect 1 in 69 children in America. Boys are 5 times more likely to be affected by ASD than girls. There is 3.5 million Americans that currently have been diagnosed with an ASD. The rate of autism and ASD is steadily increasing. There is 15 million Americans that ASD is or has impacted their lives. (n.a, 2016) You ask, “What is autism or ASD?” Autism or ASD is a “developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges.” ASD symptoms are not the same in each case, the symptoms and the severity varies on an individual basis. (n.a, Autism, 2016) What causes ASD or autism? Autism spectrum disorders could be caused by genetics, autism can also be caused

Per the maturational lag hypothesis, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may arise from delayed development in any of the brain areas contributing to typical symptomology. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-5), autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and involves impairments in social communication, social interaction, as well as the presence of restricted, repetitive, patterns of behavior, interests, or activities (American Psychological Association, 2013).

The term autism has become a hot topic in recent years. The increasing number of children being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) coupled with the uncertainty of the cause and treatment methods has only added fuel to the fire. The Center for Disease Control currently reports the rate of diagnosis at 1 in 68 children (Baio, 2014). This number is a startling when you consider the studies conducted in Europe in the 1960’s and 1970’s reported the prevalence of autism to be 1 in 2,500 children (Baio, 2014).

For example, a study conducted in England found that 1.8% of males surveyed had autism, compared to 0,2% of females (9). In 2015, according to NAS, the ratio of the males who have autism to females was 3:1(10). For this reason, all questions revolve around that why autism presents differently in males than females. For instance, why are there more cases of male with autism than females? Are males more susceptible to develop autism? Some theory explained that males are less empathetic and more logically minded than females. Also males’ general personalities are naturally more likely to inclined toward some features of autism. Moreover, females naturally have better social skills and more socially involved than males. Furthermore, females are more actively in imagination and more pretend play. All the previous theories provide a fine explanation that can help us to understand why males are more possible to be affected by

Dawson’s et al., (2002) research shows how individuals with autism have abnormal brain developments and can pin point multiple brain regions that are affected. Evidence also shows that these developmental abnormalities in the brain can be caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Within autism there are two distinct ways