By: DESTANEE ROCHA-GARCIA
Staff Writer
Autism Spectrum Disorder causes a person to establish repetitive behavioral patterns and often impairs their social interactions with other people. Doctors typically diagnose ASD in childhood when symptoms can occur before 3 years of age, according to the American Autism Association. In the United States, the centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that 1 in 59 children has ASD. The term “spectrum” refers to the wide variety of symptoms and severities within ASD. Some people with the condition experience debilitating social problems while others may be able to function more independently.
The causes of autism are currently not known, but significant numbers of studies are underway with a view to learning how it develops. Researchers have identified several genes that appear to have connections to ASD. Sometimes, these genes arise from spontaneously mutating. In other cases, people may inherit them.
In studies of twins, autism often has a strong correlation between twins. For example, if one twin has autism, the other is likely to have autism an estimated 38ー95% of the time. Autistic people may also undergo changes in key areas of their brains that impact their speech and behavior. Environmental factors might also play a role in the development of ASD, although doctors have not yet confirmed a link. However, researchers do know that some rumored causes, such as parenting patients, do not cause autism.