Is autism genetic? This is a question that most parents struggle with. Autism is a condition that negatively affects the neuro-developmental process. This results in an impaired ability to learn, engage in social interactions, and behavioral challenges. Scientists agree that genetic factors may contribute to the presence of autism. An autism treatment center helps children to improve their social and communication skills. Children with autism have no physical features that differentiate them from other kids. This makes it very hard to identify early signs of autism.
Causes of Autism
The main cause of autism is abnormalities in the structure of the brain. These abnormalities cause various structural changes that impair the functionality of the brain. Is autism genetic is a question that scientists are still investigating. It is not clear whether genetic factors cause autism, but there is a consensus that they are a contributing factor. The main reason supporting the argument that genetic factors lead to autism is a pattern of autism among certain families.
Environmental factors are also major contributing factors to the onset of autism. These factors include metabolic imbalances, exposure to various chemicals, and viral infections. Environmental factors may interfere with some of the unstable genes in the brain and lead to autism. More scientific studies show that genes are responsible for causing certain changes to the brain leading to ASD. This led scientists to believe that genetic factors play a bigger role in causing ASD than environmental factors. The major risk of developing ASD comes from an inherited and mutated genome. But the specific cause of autism is not yet known.
Symptoms of Autism
The early signs of autism often go unnoticed. This is partly because they are very subtle and many parents often misconstrue them as developmental challenges.
Some of the symptoms of autism in both children and adults include:
- Social withdrawal and avoiding eye contact when with people
- Difficulty expressing emotions or understanding other people’s emotions
- Repeating certain phrases or words
- Difficulty adapting to changes in routine
- Inappropriate facial expressions or reactions
- Difficulty talking, playing or relating to others even when interested
How to Help Children with Autism
Children with autism can live a more complete life if the intervention measures get implemented from an early age. Additionally, autism resources for parents are now widely available, and getting the whole family support is easier than ever. The best way to help a child with autism is to get them into an autism treatment program. These programs are great interventions that help improve social and communication skills. Additionally, they help the child develop better learning methods.
An applied behavioral therapy center is also a great place for kids with ASD. Such a center helps children with autism gain new skills. These skills help children with autism develop better behaviors and appropriate responses to different situations. Some of the approaches in applied behavioral therapy include after school programs and early intervention services.
You can also help a child with autism by creating a supportive environment where they can develop more skills. Is autism genetic is a question that can help parents understand why their child is autistic. But knowing this is not as important as providing your child with the support they need.
Is Autism Genetic? Get Your Loved One the Help They Need
Don’t let your loved one suffer because of an autism disorder. Mind you, there is no medical or blood test to determine the presence of an ASD. Doctors simply diagnose autism by evaluating an individual’s behavior. So, if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, seek help as soon as possible.
