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Environmental causes of autism spectrum

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psychohist
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02 Jul 2011, 12:46 pm

A lot of people here seem to assume that autism spectrum characteristics are genetic. Personally, I have my doubts. There may be some genetic factors, but the evidence for heritability is weak and what heritability there is could be social rather than genetic.

Of course, there haven't been a lot of environmental factors identified, either. That's why this article, showing a correlation between pregnancy spacing and autism, may be of interest:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/c ... 1.abstract

Quote:
An inverse association between IPI and odds of autism among 662 730 second-born children was observed. In particular, IPIs of <12, 12 to 23, and 24 to 35 months were associated with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for autism of 3.39 (3.00–3.82), 1.86 (1.65–2.10), and 1.26 (1.10–1.45) relative to IPIs of ≥36 months. The association was not mediated by preterm birth or low birth weight and persisted across categories of sociodemographic characteristics, with some attenuation in the oldest and youngest parents. Second-born children were at increased risk of autism relative to their firstborn siblings only in pairs with short IPIs.



Bombaloo
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03 Jul 2011, 10:17 am

Wow! That is interesting. I always like to hear what new research is turning up. Not that it changes anything for us, I just find it interesting.



aann
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03 Jul 2011, 10:32 am

Well this is true of my children, spaced 16 1/2 months apart but not true of my friend's family.



Washi
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03 Jul 2011, 12:32 pm

I think often only the susceptibility is genetic and pollution is the real culprit.



League_Girl
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03 Jul 2011, 1:00 pm

My mom thinks mine was caused by hearing loss.



Washi
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03 Jul 2011, 1:50 pm

I think mine was caused by Roundup. Roundup has recently been found to cause birth defects - specific birth defects that I happen to have. I was conceived around the same time it was made available for public use.