Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a neurological developmental disorder that impairs the normal functioning ability of the brain. The typical disorders related to ASD are manifested at different points of time, according to their severity. The typical symptoms of autism are difficulty in non-verbal and verbal communication, repetitive and obsessive behavioral patterns, and difficulty in social interaction. autism therapy can also result in intellectual disability, compromised power of retention, inability to coordinate motor movements, and other health issues, like gastrointestinal disturbances and sleep deficiency. However, some children with autism are truly gifted, and excel in a particular field, like music, art, mathematics, or visual skills.
The first signs of autism appear between the ages of two and three. Researchers and doctors have found many causes that may trigger this disability. In this article, I will talk of the various causes of autism.
Parents have reported a sharp regression in the growth of children following immunizations. While there are many who can give detailed reports of atavism following vaccination, there are yet other parents who say that their child manifested symptoms of autism even before any immunization. In rare cases, parents report swift retrogradations after a bout of illness, or the administration of antibiotics, or exposure to chemicals, for instance, after carpet cleaning, or pest control sessions. Although researchers, doctors and scientists have failed to draw the causal connection between these occurrences and autism, it is nevertheless extremely important that parents’ testimonies are taken into account.
There is a consensus regarding the impact of environmental factors and their power to trigger autism. It is seen that in the case of twins, if one child is autistic, then there is a high possibility that the other child will also be diagnosed with autism. On the other hand, it has also been observed that if a child has autism, then his/her identical twin, with the same genetic may not develop the debilitating symptoms of the condition. Whatever be the case, it is important that environmental factors are considered before deciding on the course of treatment.
Recent researchers have revealed that the combination of cardinal biochemical abnormalities and environmental components together give rise to autism and other abnormalities including mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, transsulfuration issues, toxicity and methylation problems.
Genetics And Autism
Officials at National Institutes of Health state that autistic children are genetically predisposed towards autism. However, the sharp rise in the number of children with autism(1 child in every 88 children is autistic) points to the fact that there is also an environmental instigation for the development and subsequent manifestation of this disorder of the central nervous system.
Environmental Factors And Autism
In recent times, there has been a total disregard for the theory that holds parental practices as being responsible for autism. While mainstream scientists and doctors denounce the possibility of the toxic effect of vaccines as being a cause that triggers autism, members of National Institutes of Health feel differently. They say that aggressive immunization schedules, coupled with the saturation of toxic adjuvants triggers autism in children who are genetically predisposed towards autoimmune disorders. This council believes that:
Vaccinations trigger and exacerbate the possibilities of autism in children who have a genetic predisposition towards autoimmune, immune and inflammatory conditions.
Other kinds of environmental factors can also result in the development of autism, and these include:
1. Pesticide Exposure: Scientists believe that the chemicals that are used to concoct a pesticide are harmful enough to trigger autism in children who are susceptible to it owing to their heredity.
2. Parental Age: Children who are conceived at an older age, that is above 40 are at a greater risk of developing autism than others who are conceived between 20 to 29 years. Therefore, the age of the mother also plays a big role in the child’s physical and mental health.
3. Pharmaceuticals: The exposure of an unborn child to toxins like thalidomide, valproic acid, and SSRI’s in the mother’s womb accelerates the possibilities of autism.
4. Freeway Proximity: Sustained researches have claimed that children who are born to mothers living within 1000 feet of freeways run a greater risk of developing autism.
5. Limited Intake Of Prenatal Vitamin: Women whose intake of vitamin is rather scarce prior to, or during pregnancy, run the risk of giving birth to autistic children.
To conclude, it can be said that doctors and researchers have failed to reach a consensus regarding the definite causes of autism. To state it in the best possible way, it can be said that autism is caused by an effect of environmental factors on a genetically weak immune system that is susceptible to inflammations and injury.