Do Environmental Factors Cause Autism?

Since the beginning of time mankind have been concerned with the disorders that involve humans. Through the evolving science technology and scientific methods, scientists, psychologist, and doctors have been able to discover more than one hundred disorders within the human race. The disorder I’m going to talk about is Autism Spectrum Disorder or Autism. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder most common in children. Autism consists of social skill and communication impairment, along with repetitive, and restricted behavior patterns.
Autism has not been a single one known cause.Two factors such as genetic problems and environmental factors are prime candidates for Autism. In some Autistic children genetic disorders such as Rett Syndrome are found. Other genes affect brain development which cases the severity of the disorder. Scientist are researching whether environmental factors can cause Autism.
Diagnosing Autism can be done by the age of two years old, sometimes even younger. It takes two steps, developmental screening and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Developmental screening shows whether child is learning the basic skills they should know or whether they have delays. Observations on communication, behaviors, movement, and how the child learns are made.

There are three main signs when dealing with Autism, social skill impairment,communication delay, and unusual interests and behaviors.

Social skill impairments such as no response to their name,avoiding eye contact,anger issues, and wanting to be alone is present in the child. Delayed speech, repetitiveness, OCD, and rocking of the body and flapping hands are also symptoms the child may have. They also can not tolerate loud sounds and do not know how to express their own feelings.Other symptoms such as being very hyper, aggressive, and unusual reactions are found in most Autistic children. Symptoms may decrease and or improve over time in some

cases.
Autism can be treated in many ways. Behavioral training and management is used to improve behavior and communication. Children with Autism are also advised to go to specialized therapies to manage their Autism. In severe cases medication is prescribed. The medication helps their hyperactivity and helps calm their anxiety.
Data and statistics have given us a lot of information on Autism. From research we see that Autism occurs in all racial groups.Statistics show that one in every sixty eight children are diagnosed with the disease, statistics also show that one in every six children have a developmental disability. Autism is also most common in boys and with people with genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, and Fragile X Syndrome. Parents with one child with Autism are most likely to have another child with the condition. Children born to older parents and or premature or underweight have a high risk of having autism. Data shows that forty six percent of Autistic children have above average intellectual ability.
Because Autism has increased tremendously in the recent years, research is still being conducted since their is still yet a lot to learn about it.The National Institutes of Health has funded eleven Autistic centers to investigate early brain development, interactions in infants, genetic mutations, and other risk factors. Autism Speaks is an organization which also helps this cause. Millions donate to Autism Speaks to help find a cure.