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Autism Spectrum Disorders

Risk Factors

The causes of ASDs are unknown. Some genetic component is likely in some cases (Muhle et al., 2004 and Kumar et al., 2009). Recent research suggests that autism may disrupt the brain’s ability to modify its synaptic connections as it learns by experience (Morrow et al., 2008 and comment).

A variety of fairly rare situations seem to have some association (Johnson, Myers, 2007).

Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) shots do not cause ASDs (MMR vaccine controversy).

Boys are more likely to have ASD than girls in the ratio of between 3:1 to 6:1 (Kaplan et al., 2007; Kogan et al., 2009).

If one child in a family has ASD, then the chance that another child in that family will have ASD is about 18% (Ozonoff et al., 2011) or nearly 1 in 5, with boys more at risk than girls. A non-autistic child in a home with an autistic child may develop adjustment problems. Siblings of children with autism may also be at higher risk (10% to 40%) of having an additional disability such as a learning disability.