When it comes to autism, it is hard to identify the specific cause since no one has an answer yet as to what actually causes it. Because there are multiple varieties and not one single condition, autism is considered a “spectrum” disorder. The spectrum ranges from those with Asperger’s Syndrome, who are able to function in society, to those with severe autism, who often find they must be institutionalized due to the fact that they are unable to care for even their most basic needs. Autism is quite complex and believed by most scientist to have multiple factors that attribute to it, not just one single cause. Genetics are believe to play a large role. The following are a few theories on the possible causes of autism.
The question of whether autism is caused by vaccines is very controversial, and there is still quite a bit of debate about this. In recent years there has been a rise in autism and some beleive that certain vaccines containing a mercury compound called thiomersal are responsible for this. According to scientists in the mainstream, the evidence for this belief is non-existence. Health professionals in the alternative medicine community still hold to the belief though that vaccines for young children increases the risk of autism. This has not been conclusively answered yet and continues to be hotly debated in different circles. One risk factor for autism is a mother who has diabetes when she is pregnant. While this relation has been researched, scientists aren’t yet aware of how diabetes instigates or contributes to autism occurring in a child. Nevertheless, this can help to show why autism is increasing, as diabetes is also an ailment that has become a lot more common in the past decades, in part because of the rise in people being overweight. Children with autism are also more likely than average to be obese, so we can speculate that all of these factors are connected in some way. So, while there basis for this is still unclear, diabetes is a feasible root of autism.
There are several potential bases of autism. One of the less trendy theories, but one that may still have value, is that TV might be an instigator or contributing factor of autism. There are lots of parents who choose to set their really young kids, even their babies, right in front of the television screen for hours upon hours. The authentic results of glaring at a television set for longer periods of time, specifically in very young children is not totally comprehended, although it does tend to cause a trance state. Some studies imply that overexposure to television, DVD, or a computer screen, specifically in children below three years old, could make autism happen. Like many aspects of autism, however, this needs to be studied further before we can say with certainty that television is a cause of autism. There are many possible causes of autism, and it will probably be some time before there is any general agreement about what brings about this condition. The foundations of autism mentioned above cannot, however, be considered the final word on this topic, however they are each worthy of being studied further.
