The Role Of Environmental Factors On The Development Of Autism

Several environmental factors have also been suspected of attributing to the cause of autism such as: exposure to infectious disease, heavy metals, phthalates and phenols, pesticides, alcohol, illicit drugs, advanced maternal age, maternal bleeding during pregnancy, maternal medications used during pregnancy and maternal stress (Glasson et al., 2004). The research conducted by Glasson et al., (2004) shows that individuals who were later diagnosed with autism were more likely to have experienced obstetric difficulties during pregnancy, labor, delivery and neonatal period. Advanced maternal age was the strongest finding in that study.

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,

Secondary causes of autism include pre-natal care, environmental factors, chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders. Environmental factors most notably, are the role of vaccinations, specifically those with the preservative thimerosal (Caronna, Milunsky, & Tager-Flusberg, 2008). The most common genetic disorder associated with autism is fragile X syndrome. Scientists continue to investigate the etiology of ASD. Current research seems to support two etiologies of autism: Early Onset of Autism vs. Regressive Autism (Bristol-Power, 2006). There is optimism that specific causes and risk factors will be identified. The results of future investigations will facilitate enhanced screening, prevention, and therapy for "at risk" and autistic patients (CMN, 2010).

However, there are many other symptoms that can be exhibited based on severity. For instance, an individual with Autism may have repetitive behaviors, frequent temper tantrums, and sensitivity to light, sound, or touch (DSM-5, 2013, p. 50). Severity is based on the needs of the individual, but the majority of Autistic traits will be present early on in development (DSM-5, 2013, p.50). Recently, there has been a rise in the number of people diagnosed with ASD and researchers speculate this is because of new technology and environmental factors (What is Autism?, 2015). The new technology that has been developed, has allowed for more research to be dedicated to the causes of Autism. A major finding is that gene mutations have been determined to account for at least 15% of ASD cases (DSM-5, 2013, p. 57). The environmental factors that can impact development and may result in Autism are: parental age at conception, illness during pregnancy, and oxygen deprivation of the fetus (What is Autism?, 2015). Once, an individual is suspected to have Autism, they must be evaluated and diagnosed officially by a psychiatrist or specialist for the best treatment procedures. Unfortunately, there is a limited number of medicines specific for ASD, but Risperidone and Aripiprazole have shown to improve mood and irritability in Autistic children (Medicines, 2015). However, the best treatment outcomes usually are a combination of medication and behavioral therapy (How is Autism Treated?, 2015). Within the public school system, schools are required by law to provide appropriate education to suit the needs of the child. Whether these accommodations are by pull-out, extra classes, or extra attention is based on the resources of the district, but every disabled child is entitled to help (Hallahan et. al, 2015). On the other

The autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a multitude of risk factors such as: genes, environmental chemical exposure, maternal factors, drug interactions, including potentially unidentified variables. These factors may act independently and/or through complex interactions to produce autism (Dietert et al., 2011). There is a growing concern with ADS due to the increased prevalence. Autism is a lifelong chronic disorder that appears to be connected to a host of comorbidities. This fact can be used to make the case that the public health strategy has not been effective in reducing this epidemic (Dietert et al., 2011). Currently there is no one environmental factor that has been identified that can account for ASD epidemic, and there appears to be more risk factors regularly identified.

Within the last twenty years, the amount of empirical research regarding the possible cause(s) and risk factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased (Lai et al., 2014). According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ASD is currently identified in approximately 1 out of 68 children living in the United States, compared to 1 in 10,000 children in 1980 (Baio, 2014). The rise in ASD prevalence highlights the need to continue research into etiology, risk factors, and effective treatments. Purpose: This paper is a critical review of current scientific studies that have focused on the ASD population about etiology of the disorder, susceptibility, and prevalence. Theories and factors that appear to influence or predict ASD outcome are reviewed. Method: Twenty-two research articles published between January 1, 2009, and November 1, 2014, in scientific, peer-reviewed journals were retrieved from the following electronic databases: ProQuest, CINAHL Complete, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. The articles were evaluated for risk of bias. Results: Recent findings suggest autism is a disorder caused by interplay of multiple genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors.

Over the last 20 years there has been a rapid rise in the rate of autism. The overarching consensus is that no matter the genesis for ASD, it results in abnormalities in brain structure and function. Identifying causation may lead to a cure, or the ability to identify genetic markers for the disorder. Finding causation could help us eliminate known teratogens from our environment, foods, and products still being used today.

This is a great concern because autism rate have been increasing in the society without any tangible facts that can explain the causes. Some researchers have show a number of genes associated with autism and Imaging studies of children with autism have discover some strange development of regions of the brain. This means that autism might result from disruptions in normal brain growth in early development. These disruptions may affect how cells of the brain communicate with each other and result to defects in genes that regulate and control brain development. Studies show that autism disorder is more rampant among the premature children. Environmental factors may have impact in defect gene and brain development, but there is no real evidence to prove and show that environmental involve in development of this disorder. Many studies have made it clear that vaccination for childhood infectious diseases does not contribute the risk of autism in the

Autism is a complex development disorder that can begin at any point in childhood, from early infancy onward, and which can last throughout a person’s lifetime. The term “autism” is used to designate a group of

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is increasing within all parts of the world and should not be taken lightly. Baker, J. (2008) introduces four tenets that characterize Autism Spectrum Disorder. First, autism is biological and not based on parental behavior. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is found to have several genetic factors. Second, autism is an umbrella of disorders. Autism Spectrum Disorder covers autism, atypical autism, and Asperger syndrome. Third, autism treatment must be largely rehabilitative. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has no cure, however, individuals with ASD can learn to adapt to function with ASD. Fourth, autism has a greater chance of a positive outcome if it is found early and intervention is taken. Grabrucker (2013) introduces several environmental risk factors for ASD including, prenatal viral infection, zinc deficiency, abnormal melatonin synthesis, maternal diabetes, prenatal and perinatal stress, toxins, parental age, and postnatal risk factors. This paper will focus on the environmental factors that impact children with Autism Spectrum

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.

There have been many who have tried to figure out the reason for an increase in autism. There are parents who blame vaccines, or rather a preservative in the vaccine called thimerosal, for causing their child to develop autism. Mainly because the characteristics of autism weren’t noticed until after the children received their vaccinations.

According to Shangraw (2012), there is no concrete etiology of autism because it is not diagnosed by its cause but on observed behaviors. The Autism-Society (n.d.) stated that a possibility for the cause of autism is the abnormalities in the brain structure or function. In an MRI research study by Piven et al. (1995), they found that an individual with autism spectrum disorder had a higher total brain volume and tissue compared to a person who is not on the autism spectrum disorder. Genetic problems and environmental factors can be a cause of autism spectrum disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic (2014). In genetic problems such as fragile X syndrome or Rett Syndrome, it can be associated with autism spectrum disorder. There is ongoing research regarding environmental factors and exploring ideas such as viral infections, pregnancy complications, and / or air pollutants to determine if they are active factors of autism spectrum disorder.

Autism affects every 1 in 68 children in America, autism is a mental condition, present from early childhood, characterized by difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people and in using language and abstract concepts. What causes autism? A short while ago, the answer to this question would have been “we have no clue.” Research is now bringing us the answers. First, we now know that there is no one cause of autism just as there is no one type of autism. In the last five years, scientists have identified a number of rare gene changes, or mutations, associated with autism. There has been more than a hundred autism risk genes identified. In around 15 percent of cases, a specific genetic cause of a person’s autism can be identified. In the presence of a genetic bias to autism, a number of nongenetic, or environmental, influence further increase a child’s risk. The coherent evidence of these environmental risk factors includes events before and during birth. They include progressive parental age at time of conception, maternal illness during pregnancy, extreme prematurity and highly low birth weight and certain difficulties during birth, especially those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. Mothers threatened by high levels of pesticides and air pollution could also be at higher risk of having a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A small but growing body of research