Autism is not a contagious disorder, nor is it caused by parenting techniques, but it does seem to run in families.  For instance, identical twins are very likely to share an autism diagnosis, and fraternal twins are more likely than other relatives to share a diagnosis.

Some common risk factors for autism are low birth weight and premature birth; advanced parental age; and spontaneous genetic mutations whose cause is unknown.  Some researchers believe that, in children with a genetic inclination toward autism, an environmental exposure may trigger symptoms. Recent studies by researchers at John Hopkins University link autism with a mother’s autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease and rheumatoid arthritis.  The Johns Hopkins study concluded that, if one of these disorders is present in the mother, the risk of autism in her child is increased threefold.

Research has not found a causal connection between exposure to mercury used in routine childhood vaccinations and autism, nor is there any clear research connecting children with seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, sensory integration dysfunction, digestive issues, or food allergies and autism, although some of these problems may co-exist in children with autism.

No two children with autism will share identical symptoms; autism is a spectrum disorder, meaning that symptoms vary widely among individuals who are affected by it.  Because of the complexity of the disorder, and the fact that it is diagnosed based on observation of behavior and not on a medical test, isolating risk factors and causes is tricky.  Research into causality continues, and research into new theories is growing.  Until more definitive answers regarding causality can be found, a focus on early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and intervention is imperative in order to effectively treat children with autism diagnoses.

Additional Resources:

Read the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s autism risk factors page here.

References:

http://autism.about.com/od/autismbasicsfaqs/f/riskofautism.htm

Vaccinations have been modified in light of increasing autism diagnoses. Mercury in vaccines was thought to trigger autism, but Dr. Karp states that, while 95 % of mercury was removed from vaccines in 2002, autism rates have continued to rise. Similarly, a popular idea was that the measles, mumps, and German measles (MMR) shot caused autism, but recent Dutch and Japanese studies have found no differences in autism risk for those children who did and did not receive the immunization.

There is no clinical evidence linking autism and vaccinations. Dr. Karp states that, in light of these “dozens of studies examining over a million children [that have] failed to find any credible association between shots and autism,” he knows of “plausible pathophysiologic pathway to link vaccines to autism.”

Regarding the rise in incidence of autism, Karp argues for promotion of childhood disease registries that will help to determine the true incidence of autism. Changes in how delays are labeled may make it appear that more children are being diagnosed with autism, but a recent California Department of Health study has provided evidence for an actual rise in incidence.

Karp states as well that “The National Children’s Study will establish over 100 study centers across the United States to test the blood of 100,000 newborns for scores of synthetic chemicals,” which may shed some light on causes of autism.

Reference: Vaccinate your baby

Autism is complex and there is no known cause, prevention, or cure.  While there has been much speculation about the causal connection between vaccinations and autism, there remains no scientific proof linking the two.

There are, however, ways to identify, diagnose, and treat ASDs.  No medical tests can rule out autism, so it is behavioral markers – often first noticed by parents – that identify children with ASDs.

Most autism is diagnosed before age 3 and can be diagnosed as early as age 18 months.  Parents and caregivers are in a unique position to notice what behaviors may point to a diagnosis of autism.  Because ASD is a spectrum disorder, the severity of symptoms will differ from child to child in correlation to the severity of the particular child’s autism.

Although the symptoms and manifestations of ASDs vary, there are commonalities among those affected.  Difficulty communicating, a lack of change in tone of voice or pitch, lack of showing gestures, lack of response to one’s name, lack of joyful expressions, and lack of appropriate eye gaze are all symptoms of autism.  Repetitive gestures or repetitive manipulation of objects can also be signs of autism. Children affected by autism may seem to lose skills they had previously mastered.  These symptoms are not absolutes, but if your child has one or more of these symptoms, then consulting with your child’s healthcare provider is important so that your child can be evaluated.

Regular well-baby visits during which children are evaluated for developmental milestones are crucial to determining any developmental delays.  While parents may be hesitant to voice concerns about their child’s development, thinking a child may “grow out of” a phase, voicing concern is imperative to getting timely assistance.  When diagnosing ASDs, time is of the essence.  The sooner a child can be evaluated and diagnosed, if appropriate, then the sooner treatment and intervention can begin.

As with any other aspect of parenting, knowledge is power.  Knowing what milestones that normally developing babies and toddlers should reach and when allows parents to evaluate whether their child is reaching those milestones appropriately.  Regular visits to the pediatrician during which parents discuss these milestones and voice their concerns are equally crucial to obtaining an early diagnosis of ASD if such a diagnosis is indicated.

While not curable, ASDs are certainly treatable.  Once a diagnosis has been obtained, pediatricians will refer patients to specialists for further assessment and for treatments and interventions as indicated.  With early detection and treatment, children with ASDs can improve significantly.