Autism and the Cause

Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability. Some common features of Autism include social communication challenges, repetitive behaviors, sensory sensitivities, and fixed interests. Autism is considered lifelong because it is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how the brain functions.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) outlines specific criteria for diagnosing ASD. To receive an ASD diagnosis, an individual must exhibit persistent deficits in core areas: social communication and social interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. However, there exists a wide range of symptoms, personal qualities, abilities, and disabilities within one diagnostic category. Individuals with Autism can be chatty or non-speaking, gifted or intellectually disabled, be hypersensitive to sound and light, or be comfortable playing percussion in a band. Children with Autism may have significant behavioral issues, or they may be unusually quiet and unresponsive. Some people with Autism have extraordinary abilities; others struggle to complete basic activities of daily living and are not safe alone.

What Causes Autism?

There is no known cause of Autism, and there is no blood test to diagnose ASD. Autism occurs in individuals from across all economic, ethnic, cultural, and educational groups. It is not caused by bad parenting or vaccinations. Several theories about Autism point toward a genetic predisposition, improved diagnoses, and environmental influences. Science knows that thousands of children are diagnosed each year and that the Autism spectrum is just that — a spectrum of challenges and needs that are specific to each individual. Some current data includes:

• Approximately 25-30% of Autistic children will be non-speaking or minimally verbal throughout their lives.

• Thirty-one percent of children with Autism are believed to have an Intellectual Disability,

• Twenty-five percent of children are in the borderline range, and,

• Forty-four percent have IQ scores in the average to above average range.

Note that IQ tests that do not require language skills, such as the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (TONI) can offer more accurate information about a person and that while IQ is one indicator, there are many factors when considering treatment options.