Dr. Mariam Haider and Dr. Tanya Soomro discuss factors that cause autism. These factors can be either genetic or environmental.
Doctors and scientists have not completely understood what causes autism as it is a result of multiple factors. These include environmental, biological and genetic factors. One of the most common reasons for children going misdiagnosed or undiagnosed is family members or other non-medical persons attributing autistic behaviour to incorrect causes. Some important points to consider are:
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Genetics can play a role in increasing the risk of developing autism. This includes chromosome conditions such as
tuberous sclerosis. - Higher parental age, the more chances of autism in children.
- Children with autism have a higher chance of their siblings also having the same condition.
- Certain medication taken during pregnancy can also increase the risk of the child being autistic.
- Premature birth can increase the chances of autism.
- During pregnancy a child can develop autism if the mother consumes certain medicines, alcohol, or is infected.
- Lack of oxygen for the child during pregnancy or low birth weight can also lead to autism.
- Pesticides/ environmental pollutants are also known to cause autism.Pesticides/ environmental pollutants are also known to cause autism.
- Vaccinations have no effect on the risk of a child having autism. Pesticides/ environmental pollutants are also known to cause autism.
- Pesticides/ environmental pollutants are also known to cause autism.Pesticides/ environmental pollutants are also known to cause autism.
Over the years, the way doctors diagnose autism has also changed, which has led to more cases of autism. Children who would have been previously given a different diagnosis, e.g language disorder, are now being diagnosed with autism because we now know that autism can occur in children of all levels of intellectual activity.
The causes of autism are complex. There is no simple explanation for why a child has autism spectrum disorder. Studies are conducted every year to understand and limit factors that cause autism. Please consult your doctor to help reduce the risk of autism and understand the causes of autism better.
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