Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees.

There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that autistic children may have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single “trigger” that causes autism to develop.

Other researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.

Autism tends to occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have certain medical conditions, including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). Some harmful substances ingested during pregnancy also have been associated with an increased risk of autism. Early in 2002, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepared a literature review of hazardous chemical exposures and autism and found no compelling evidence for an association; however, there was very limited research and more needs to be done.

The question of a relationship between vaccines and autism continues to be debated. In a 2001 investigation by the Institute of Medicine, a committee concluded that the “evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship…. between MMR vaccines and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).” The committee acknowledged, however, that “they could not rule out” the possibility that the MMR vaccine could contribute to ASD in a small number of children. While other researchers agree the data does not support a link between the MMR and autism, more research is clearly needed.

Whatever the cause, it is clear that children with autism and PDD are born with the disorder or born with the potential to develop it. It is not caused by bad parenting. Autism is not a mental illness. Children with autism are not unruly kids who choose not to behave. Furthermore, no known psychological factors in the development of the child have been shown to cause autism.

Be prepared for the backlash. Autism is not caused by the attention or lack of attention from one particular parent or the other. It is a complicate nuerolgical disorder. Back in the 50’s, the popular theory was that mother’s who failed to bond sufficently with the child were the cause, but that has long since been disproven. Parents in fact, are often the first to realize something is “off” about thier child (and that is the term frequently used in parent historys) and in many cases, it is becuase of that feeling that they pursue a diagnosis after being told there is nothing wrong. That was most decidely the case in the 60’s and 70’s when children with mild autism where the strange kids at school and kids with moderate or severe autism were put into institutional settings as parents were told there was nothing else to do. Luckily, parents tend not to listen when we are told our kids are at risk and because of it, we know better. Today’s parents of autistic children are activists on a daily basis…working hard to get better services, more options, more awareness and more funding.

Autism is a neurological disorder –or it is also defined as a neuropsychiatric disorder–(this does NOT mean that someone becomes autistic because they were traumatized or abused by a parent, though; it means the wiring of the brain cells in the brain is a little off so that the autistic person does not experience the world in the way ordinary people do.) It is not necessarily an inherited genetic disorder although autism does occur more often in boys than in girls, suggesting some kind of genetic vulnerability related to the y chromosome.

One theory by a famous Indian neurologist states that persons with autism lacks a type of neuron (brain cell) that is important to helping people recognize and relate to each other in the way people normally do. This is the “mirror neuron” theory. Another theory is that the child may have been exposed to an infectious virus or bacteria early on and that, in combination with other latent neurological vulnerabilities, autism developed.

I think that either maternal or perinatal exposure to an infection or environmental toxin, plus some quirks in the early neurological development of a baby can result in autism.

Since autism is a syndrome (collection of symptoms), there are a great many answers to your question, and some thoughtful people have already given you some.

Autism isn’t “learned.” Neither your behvior nor your spouse’s has caused autism. Bettelheim’s book, “Love is not Enough,” proposes this theory, but subsequent research does not validate it.

In families where there is a child with a ‘problem,’ especially a neurological problem, there is a tendency for the mother to over-compensate [love is NOT enough] and for the father to go into denial. Avoid these extremes.

Both parents affect the life of and prognosis for the autistic child. Hang in there, and get all the support you can!

Besides all the answers you already have,I recall a theory out there that blamed the Dad’s.I’m not really sure of the time line on it but it came about because of an eye glass Co. that was dumping chemicals into the water behind the plant.It seemed that the fathers and grandfathers that worked at or lived near the plant had a much higher rate of autistic children/grandchildren.

There is a great deal of research going on in this particular arena. Currently scientists are looking at maternal age at time of birth and paternal age as well. This is just ONE area being researched. There is currently NO scientific evidence of any parental contribution.

There IS scientific proof that autism IS hereditary in chromosomes which is why siblings of an autist have a higher risk of being autists as well. And yet, this is still not the answer to the specific cause(s) of autism.

While theories abound there is no proof that any one thing, or gene from any one parent,causes autism. The old “guilt the mom” theory of Refrigerator Mommy has long been discarded. Right now scientists are leaning towards a theory that some kids are born with a predisposition to autism and something triggers it but they don;t know how to pinpoint the disposition or the cause.

NONE. I am sorry that is a ridicoulous question, nobody is to blame for the child having autism, it is what is, get the necessary therapies and do not focus on the unnecessary just focus on the child.

are you asking if a parent carries the gene or the cause and effect of a caregiver?? There is no known cause of autism to date; there are several theories but it appears to be that these numbers are increasing since I was a child ; they taint and genically alter our food, antibiotics etc to our animals ; pollutants ; pesticides etc

The parent that takes care of the child the most (usually the mother) can influence the child the most.