which parent influences autism?
There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in autistic versus non-autistic children. Researchers are investigating a number of theories, including the link between heredity, genetics and medical problems. In many families, there appears to be a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis to the disorder. While no one gene has been identified as causing autism, researchers are searching for irregular segments of genetic code that autistic children may have inherited. It also appears that some children are born with a susceptibility to autism, but researchers have not yet identified a single “trigger” that causes autism to develop.
Other researchers are investigating the possibility that under certain conditions, a cluster of unstable genes may interfere with brain development resulting in autism. Still other researchers are investigating problems during pregnancy or delivery as well as environmental factors such as viral infections, metabolic imbalances, and exposure to environmental chemicals.
Autism tends to occur more frequently than expected among individuals who have certain medical conditions, including Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, congenital rubella syndrome, and untreated phenylketonuria (PKU). Some harmful substances ingested during pregnancy also have been associated with an increased risk of autism. Early in 2002, The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepared a literature review of hazardous chemical exposures and autism and found no compelling evidence for an association; however, there was very limited research and more needs to be done.
The question of a relationship between vaccines and autism continues to be debated. In a 2001 investigation by the Institute of Medicine, a committee concluded that the “evidence favors rejection of a causal relationship…. between MMR vaccines and autistic spectrum disorders (ASD).” The committee acknowledged, however, that “they could not rule out” the possibility that the MMR vaccine could contribute to ASD in a small number of children. While other researchers agree the data does not support a link between the MMR and autism, more research is clearly needed.
Whatever the cause, it is clear that children with autism and PDD are born with the disorder or born with the potential to develop it. It is not caused by bad parenting. Autism is not a mental illness. Children with autism are not unruly kids who choose not to behave. Furthermore, no known psychological factors in the development of the child have been shown to cause autism.
One theory by a famous Indian neurologist states that persons with autism lacks a type of neuron (brain cell) that is important to helping people recognize and relate to each other in the way people normally do. This is the “mirror neuron” theory. Another theory is that the child may have been exposed to an infectious virus or bacteria early on and that, in combination with other latent neurological vulnerabilities, autism developed.
I think that either maternal or perinatal exposure to an infection or environmental toxin, plus some quirks in the early neurological development of a baby can result in autism.
Autism isn’t “learned.” Neither your behvior nor your spouse’s has caused autism. Bettelheim’s book, “Love is not Enough,” proposes this theory, but subsequent research does not validate it.
In families where there is a child with a ‘problem,’ especially a neurological problem, there is a tendency for the mother to over-compensate [love is NOT enough] and for the father to go into denial. Avoid these extremes.
Both parents affect the life of and prognosis for the autistic child. Hang in there, and get all the support you can!
There IS scientific proof that autism IS hereditary in chromosomes which is why siblings of an autist have a higher risk of being autists as well. And yet, this is still not the answer to the specific cause(s) of autism.
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