What are the latest theories on the cause of AS/autism?

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The latest theory for autism I read was from a book from the early 1990's. Have there been any significant new discoveries/theories developed in autism research?

They have found a gene that is unique to people on the lower end of the spectrum. But I think it only pinpoints about 5% or something.

My current favourite idea is that the brain is going through a pruning process at the time that autism symptoms develop. The autistic brain shuts off some connections automatically when overloaded. When the pruner comes around he misses the temporarily closed sign and goes on to the next connection. He forgets to go back and check to see if that needs to be opened or not.

Therefore, we have way too many connections opened up! Too much input=too much stimulus.

apart from vaccination association theory my dad has as and ocd as well so i jus like to stick with hereditary theory

Besides the genetic/hereditary link...

And the environmental trigger or cumulative environmental triggers possibly/coupled with a genetic predisposition to damage from them...

There's a lot of research going on into a link between gastro-intestinal problems being linked with brain function and development, and that being a cause of it. Basically the GI tract houses the immune system, and has a huge impact on brain function, and there are thoughts that deficiencies in it or problems with yeast overgrowth or an inability to process certain proteins means certain nutrients aren't easily absorbed, and that this has an impact on the brain.

Similarly, there's thought that it could also be linked to the immune system and brain and GI tract as well.

Evil gnomes *nods* they're everywhere.

I'm with the genetic theory as I recognise a lot of symptoms in my father as well. I have heard of many people with an AS parent.

yup. I get it from my dad's side.

Genetics.

My dad is almost surely AS and so am I and 2-3 of my siblings. All 6 of us kids have AS traits. MY almost 10 y/o daughter has AS and my husband does too. He gets it from his father who got it from both his parents.

Either that, or I'll buy into the evil gnome theory. I know that there are underwear and sock gnomes that live in my house and steal the laundry. They're not evil, just mischievous. Not too far of a stretch to think that it's evil gnomes causing ASDs.

that picture reminds me of a professor I've had. :S

My mom had "heard" a good one: children watching too much TV! Ha! Who would have thought the solution was staring us right in the face?

Or is it more like, we're staring the problem right in the...screen.....?

I thought that was ADHD.

ooo, okay.