TXMary2 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I am having a discussion with a friend. I realize this has the potential to be a hot topic, but for the sake of the poll can you just state what you believe without telling other posters they are stupid for believing differently? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravinlunachick Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other, as I believe it is a combination of factors (genetic, environmental, possibly immune system-related). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdalley Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 In our family it is a clear cut case of genetics. I can trace it back to pre-Civil War. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murmer Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 There is a genetic disposition and that for some children it is triggered by outside events such as a vaccine/high fever ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmith Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Personally, I believe autism has a genetic factor combined with an environmental factor. With all the chemicals in use these days, I find it hard to believe that doesn’t have some effect. I also believe this is a factor in ADD/ADHD, Alzheimer's, and other diseases/disorders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinivanMom Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I believe autism has a genetic factor combined with possible environmental factors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaTanya Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I agree with many of the previous posters. I believe there must be some genetic predisposition, but an environmental trigger. My ds's autistic repetitive behaviors were not visible in his toddler years. His hypersensitivity to textures and sounds developed later, too. Something happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReader Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Like most others have said, I think genetic component + outside factors at least part of the time but not in all cases. Mostly, I think the cause is still pretty unknown, despite the various studies & reports. I voted Other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaM Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 My own guess is that it is a genetic disorder triggered by external factors (vaccines, environmental poisons and maybe even stress) as most of the PP's stated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Genetic, primarily. Temple Grandin has stated that children today that are high functioning autistic would have been considered just quirky in the first part of the century. A child growing up in the 40s would have had a much more rigid set of societal rules both at home and in the world that would have helped them. She says if she'd been born now rather than in the later 40s, she would have had much more trouble adjusting to society. I think there is probably a good bit of truth to what she says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Genetics + environment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmichigan Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I currently lean toward some type of genetic predisposition and the combined exposure to some as yet unknown triggers. I also think that the term has become such an umbrella that it overdiagnosed. The same thing has happened recently in my area with CP, both are being overdiangosed in order to obtain services that insurance companies are otherwise hesitant to cover. What would otherwise have be deamed developmental delay and quirkiness are now CP and autism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) I believe it's genetic with environment playing into genetic susceptibility in some cases. I had to vote other because your choices are much to narrow for even what we know. Also, they share the idea that it's somehow something we control (don't vaccinate, don't have children at an old age, watch exposure during pregnancy, etc.) when research seems to indicate the vast majority of causes have environmental triggers you couldn't control. They are identifying some genes that give a disposition to autism some with a probable environmental component. You can pubmed autism to find what they know about some of those genes and related environmental components. One off the top of my head not mentioned in your poll has to do with glutamate processing. Here is an initial hit I got for a pubmed for the glutamate autism genetic stuff http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19360665 Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within Mitochondrial Aspartate/Glutamate Carrier SLC25A12 gene have recently shown to be strongly associated with autism. Here, we attempted to replicate this finding in two separate Finnish samples with autism spectrum disorders. Family-based association analysis of two SNPs, rs2056202 and rs2292813, previously shown to be associated with autism was performed in two samples with different phenotypic characteristics. The samples included 97 families with strictly defined autism and 29 extended families with Asperger syndrome (AS). We detected association at rs2292813 (FBAT, P=0.0018) in the Finnish autism sample. In, addition other family-based analysis methods supported this finding. By contrast, analysis of the AS sample yielded no evidence for association. This study shows further support that genetic variants within SLC25A12 gene contribute to the etiology of autism. Here is the thing. That's one subset of spectrum individuals. There are probably a wide variety of genetic changes that result in autism susceptibility. My son has a metabolic condition that affects mitochondrial function with a high incidence of autism characteristics. But he also has relatives on his dad's side who are clearly subclinically spectrum. Who knows which contributed to his autistic traits. Maybe both. My cousin's child has autism that appears to be more pronounced than my son. I'm certain his cause is different. So, I think what we now call autism is just a name for characteristics caused by a bunch of different (gene related) conditions and some of those have interplay with environmental factors. That's not unusual in genetic things outside of autism either. It also explains why some autistic individuals are helped by various environmental changes or treatments that do nothing for others. My son had major improvement in spectrum symptoms when he began taking a Carnitor (prescribed medicine) for his metabolic condition. It wouldn't do a thing for a child without my son's genetic factors. Edited November 23, 2011 by sbgrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other. I have no idea what causes it. I just know that my oldest son has it. It was nothing I did, or vaccines given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I think that there is probably a genetic component - all the children I know who have autism or Aspergers have somewhat.... geeky (I like geeks) parents. I also think that the rise in incidence may be down to a difference in reporting. As an example, the rise of asthma in the UK is largely explained by the change of diagnosis from 'non-specific bronchitis' to asthma. Similarly, it seems possible that autism was described in all kinds of ways in previous eras. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Other. Combination of factors, nobody knows the answer yet. There may be environmental factors, there are most likely also genetic ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LittleIzumi Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I agree with many of the previous posters. I believe there must be some genetic predisposition, but an environmental trigger. :iagree::iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I believe there is a predisposition to autism but that it can be triggered by external factors. ETA: I see I'm not the first to mention this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 another OTHER because I think it's a combination of some of those listed in the poll and probably some other things not recognized yet :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I have no idea.:confused: I have no experience with autism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amy g. Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 The characteristics we call autism are symptoms. It is like asking what causes a limp or a cough. There are very many different causes for the same symptoms. This is why some people are able to be "cured" and others insist their is no cure. If the limp is caused by a twisted ankle, the prognosis is different than a limp caused by bone cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizaG Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Genetic, primarily. Temple Grandin has stated that children today that are high functioning autistic would have been considered just quirky in the first part of the century. A child growing up in the 40s would have had a much more rigid set of societal rules both at home and in the world that would have helped them. She says if she'd been born now rather than in the later 40s, she would have had much more trouble adjusting to society. I think there is probably a good bit of truth to what she says. :iagree: This made a lot of sense to me when I read it. I also suspect that early exposure to electronic media and certain chemicals have increased the neurological stress on today's children. But not everyone is born with the sort of wiring that makes them susceptible to autism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other as well. I believe it's genetics combined with something else. Our naturopath who is also a bio-chemist has been doing a study on her autistic patients and has found a common genetic issue. She will be publishing her findings very soon. Once she figured out this particular genetic factor, she's been treating for that and has seen outstanding results. Just one of the great outcomes has been that kids who were once non-verbal are now talking. I can't wait to see what comes of her research! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 My understanding is that there is a link between older mothers and increased autism rates, as well as a proven genetic component (parents with one autistic child are more likely to have another). However, it's clearly a variety of factors, as everyone is saying. So far, though, from everything I've read vaccines have not been proven to be one of those factors. However, if the goal of the poll was to separate the vaccines cause autism folks from the vaccines are safe folks, then I don't think it's doing its job. Even those who believe that vaccines cause autism seem to believe that autism has a variety of potential causes and triggers and they're voting "other" along with those of us who don't believe the vaccine theory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganicAnn Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I think they are just beginning to research what causes autism. I would not be surprised that it is a combination of factors - genetics, factors during pregnancy, factors during babyhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaxMom Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I think we have very little idea of what the perfect storm of genetics and catalysts results in ASDs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akmommy Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I believe autism has a genetic factor combined with possible environmental factors. This is my belief.:iagree: My husband worked with a man who developed autism as a young adult similar to the way schizophrenia sometimes does in some people.. He's the only case of it manifesting in adulthood I've ever heard of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butterflymommy Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 My theory... definitely genetic and perhaps more widespread these days due to the introduction of Rhogam. If people who are Rh- (or who have +/- alleles) are more likely to carry genes for autism/ autistic traits, Rhogam has allowed them to contribute to the gene pool at a rate unprecedented in human history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other because I don't know. It could be anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mktkcb Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 well, have to go with mostly genetic. have 2 kids borderline aspie, and we come from a long line on my mother's side of quirky gifted people. One of her brothers would for sure have been diagnosed if he was born now. I'm sure there are other factors as well, but I think that is a big one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Genetic predisposition: Israeli and NY researchers find evidence autism genetic By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH 10/09/2011 02:39 For the first time, scientists provide functional evidence that inheriting fewer copies of genes on chromosome #16 leads to autism-like features. The neuro-cognitive, developmental disease of autism, whose symptoms appear during the first three years of a child’s life, have for years been thought to involve a number of genes, but there was no concrete proof. Now a team at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) in New York, led by an Israeli doing postdoctoral fellowship work on mice, has for the first time provided functional evidence that inheriting fewer copies of genes on chromosome #16 leads to autism-like features. My husband and 2 of my sons are "Asptastic." We can trace this back a few generations. I have also read that this genetic anomaly is linked to ADHD symptoms/characteristics--It sure is in my family! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex-mex Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 (edited) I voted other, as I believe it is a combination of factors (genetic, environmental, possibly immune system-related). :iagree: Son and I have a rare liver disease (genetic) and one of the results of the frontal lobe being eaten away by the high ammomnia of our disease not being able to have one of its Urea Cycle working properly when eating normal amounts of protein in our diet -- thus, executive function, working memory, and Autistic Spectrum Disorder occur. Co-morbidities with the high functioning Autism but the bigger culprit is our rare liver disease (UCD). ETA: My mother and older sister were far worse in the ASD compared to son and I. Grandmother was mild Autism. And one uncle and cousin def Autistic traits. Genetic. Edited November 23, 2011 by tex-mex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veritaserum Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other, as I believe it is a combination of factors (genetic, environmental, possibly immune system-related). :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeacefulChaos Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Genetics. (So I voted other) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other, as I believe it is a combination of factors (genetic, environmental, possibly immune system-related). :iagree:This is what I think too. My opinions are based on lengthy discussions with the various autism specialists, especially the neurologist, that have treated my child. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex-mex Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 One off the top of my head not mentioned in your poll has to do with glutamate processing. Here is an initial hit I got for a pubmed for the glutamate autism genetic stuff http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19360665 Here is the thing. That's one subset of spectrum individuals. There are probably a wide variety of genetic changes that result in autism susceptibility. My son has a metabolic condition that affects mitochondrial function with a high incidence of autism characteristics. But he also has relatives on his dad's side who are clearly subclinically spectrum. Who knows which contributed to his autistic traits. Maybe both. My cousin's child has autism that appears to be more pronounced than my son. I'm certain his cause is different. Good point on the subset of those with glutamate. Our specific genetic rare liver disease was initially dx'ed due to the HIGH levels of glutamine -- which is one indicator of a Urea Cycle Disorder. You do wonder what science will show decades from now about the metabolic cause for what we call Autism today. Tip of the iceberg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIE! Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 No idea what causes it - but I think it's on the rise more due to misdiagnosis than the it actually being on the rise. With a spectrum disorder there are some obvious cases, and there are others that are a bit more fuzzy. Could be someone is mildly autistic, or could be they are just quirky, or could be they need a different style of parenting, or many other possibilities. The default lately seems to be a diagnosis of autism. There always seems to be some (for lack of better word) "popular" disorder that some parents will go to any length to get their child diagnosed with. I feel for those who truly deal with autism. It makes life very difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Other. I believe there are many causes. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I believe autism has a genetic factor combined with possible environmental factors. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 No idea what causes it - but I think it's on the rise more due to misdiagnosis than the it actually being on the rise. With a spectrum disorder there are some obvious cases, and there are others that are a bit more fuzzy. Could be someone is mildly autistic, or could be they are just quirky, or could be they need a different style of parenting, or many other possibilities. The default lately seems to be a diagnosis of autism. There always seems to be some (for lack of better word) "popular" disorder that some parents will go to any length to get their child diagnosed with. I feel for those who truly deal with autism. It makes life very difficult. An autism diagnosis is no longer reserved for severely affected children. Diagnostic criteria have changed to include milder forms of autism, and of course that affects the numbers. But in order to get a true autism diagnosis, a child must still meet specific diagnostic criteria. I've been through the diagnostic process many times, both as a parent and as a professional, and it is a rigorous one. That's how we decide which children "truly" have autism (and which do not). Believe me, folks aren't lining up to get into this club. I really take exception to the bolded, and not just on my own behalf. Autism is on the rise, even taking the new diagnostic criteria into account, and parents are agonizing over their children and their lives. To see that dismissed so lightly or framed as a choice is painful. It may be that you're seeing children like mine who have the label but don't "look autistic" to those with casual exposure. I don't know how many times I've heard that, and had my daughter's condition blamed on my parenting, the school, quirkiness, or simply on her. But she meets the diagnostic criteria even if she doesn't look like it, as do many others with mild to moderate autism. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaNZ Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 My theory... definitely genetic and perhaps more widespread these days due to the introduction of Rhogam. If people who are Rh- (or who have +/- alleles) are more likely to carry genes for autism/ autistic traits, Rhogam has allowed them to contribute to the gene pool at a rate unprecedented in human history. This is an interesting theory. Where did it come from and do you have any evidence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hsmom2011 Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 n/m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other, as I believe it is a combination of factors (genetic, environmental, possibly immune system-related). :iagree: I believe there has to be a genetic predisposition: something is switched on by environmental factors. I have two cousins who have autism. One is a grandchild of my mother's sister and one is a child of my father's brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 This is an interesting theory. Where did it come from and do you have any evidence? I'd like to hear more about the Rh negative theory, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 There always seems to be some (for lack of better word) "popular" disorder that some parents will go to any length to get their child diagnosed with. Oh Dear Lord! Who on Earth would seek an Autism diagnosis b/c it is popular??? ETA: You know. Never mind. People with Munchausen or Munchausen by Proxy would do this. Oh sheesh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Upward Journey Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I voted other, as I believe it is a combination of factors (genetic, environmental, possibly immune system-related). This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pdalley Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 An autism diagnosis is no longer reserved for severely affected children. Diagnostic criteria have changed to include milder forms of autism, and of course that affects the numbers. But in order to get a true autism diagnosis, a child must still meet specific diagnostic criteria. I've been through the diagnostic process many times, both as a parent and as a professional, and it is a rigorous one. That's how we decide which children "truly" have autism (and which do not). Believe me, folks aren't lining up to get into this club. I really take exception to the bolded, and not just on my own behalf. Autism is on the rise, even taking the new diagnostic criteria into account, and parents are agonizing over their children and their lives. To see that dismissed so lightly or framed as a choice is painful. It may be that you're seeing children like mine who have the label but don't "look autistic" to those with casual exposure. I don't know how many times I've heard that, and had my daughter's condition blamed on my parenting, the school, quirkiness, or simply on her. But she meets the diagnostic criteria even if she doesn't look like it, as do many others with mild to moderate autism. Cat :iagree: I am offended at the idea people are trying to get such a diagnosis for their kids. Heck, people want to fix my kids and I don't think they are broken. Why would someone want an autism diagnosis when a lot of what I hear is screaming for a cure? As I said upthread, for our family is is genetic. No question. And no, it's not due to environmental factors as some of us are less quirky than our ancestors who were around and meet the criteria in the days before vaccines and other toxins. And I am speaking only for MY family. And I had oldest at 29, middle at 31 and youngest at 34. Not an older mother. My mother had me at 19 and my brother at 24. Certainly my ancestors had children at much younger ages. We still meet the criteria. There are probably many different causes for autism and autistic like symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIE! Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 An autism diagnosis is no longer reserved for severely affected children. Diagnostic criteria have changed to include milder forms of autism, and of course that affects the numbers. But in order to get a true autism diagnosis, a child must still meet specific diagnostic criteria. I've been through the diagnostic process many times, both as a parent and as a professional, and it is a rigorous one. That's how we decide which children "truly" have autism (and which do not). Believe me, folks aren't lining up to get into this club. I really take exception to the bolded, and not just on my own behalf. Autism is on the rise, even taking the new diagnostic criteria into account, and parents are agonizing over their children and their lives. To see that dismissed so lightly or framed as a choice is painful. It may be that you're seeing children like mine who have the label but don't "look autistic" to those with casual exposure. I don't know how many times I've heard that, and had my daughter's condition blamed on my parenting, the school, quirkiness, or simply on her. But she meets the diagnostic criteria even if she doesn't look like it, as do many others with mild to moderate autism. Cat This comment made my jaw drop! Do you really think anyone wants their child to have Autism??? I have a child with ASD and it's not something I take lightly. It has been and continues to be a very challenging journey for our family in more ways then non ASD parents can imagine. Oh Dear Lord! Who on Earth would seek an Autism diagnosis b/c it is popular??? ETA: You know. Never mind. People with Munchausen or Munchausen by Proxy would do this. Oh sheesh! Sorry for the inconsiderate post. I absolutely don't think any parents WANT their kids to HAVE autism. I just happen to know a few who want them to have the LABEL of autism. Just like they wanted them to have several other labels that pop up in the news over the past years. And I know people who go from doctor to doctor being told their kids are fine, until they find one doctor who will give a diagnosis - or worse, not check the records and just believe the parent who says they have the problem, without ever getting a diagnosis.(Yes - this has happened. Not all doctors are as careful as they ought to be.) Yeah - I know some strange people. And DH knows many many more. This is not typical, but it does happen. I'd never heard of Munchausen by proxy before - but that describes those I was talking about to a tee. I did NOT mean anyone who actually has autistic children who are anywhere on the spectrum. Even if they don't "look" like they have a problem, it can be a real struggle and I in no way meant to belittle that. Again - SORRY! I should think more before I post. (crawling into a hole now for the rest of the thread.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 Genetics. Only. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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