What Caused Your Autism?

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Ok...I've now gotten obsessed with the causes of autism. So I thought I would try a little statistical research here. This topic is for those of us on the autistic spectrum---regardless of the type of autism. I have Asperger's---diagnosed. My new obsession is, "What has caused my autism?/What has caused your autism?" I think most of us on the spectrum have an idea---and ideas are good enough for me at this point. So I will start. I was oxygen deprived for like 45 minutes before my birth. I was delivered by an emergency C-section. I believe that has given me my autism. I also have iron defiency which has been indicated by some studies to be common in the autistic---and I have heart arrythmia which has also been seen in autistic studies. But a person on the spectrum doesn't have to have those issues obviously. I have also seen the studies of finger length by Baron and Cohen/ and Manning on the 2D 4D ratios (ring finger longer than index finger---indicating increased testosterone levels during fetal development). This ratio is supposedly more pronounced on those on the spectrum. But I don't think that is supposed to mean everyone on the spectrum would have that trait? I tried measuring my fingers and I can't get the same readings. One time I get 0.97 ratio, and another I get almost equal ring finger/index finger lengths. But upon holding my hands up in front of me, my ring finger on my right hand looks longer than my index finger on my right hand. And for my left hand it depends on if I'm looking at the back or front of it---must be due to angle or something. From looking at the back side of my hands (not palm) my ring fingers look somewhat longer than my index fingers. But since I attribute my AS to oxygen deprivation, then the testosterone level would not matter in my case. I believe there are several factors that could cause autism. What do you think caused yours? Also, if you had oxygen deprivation issues in your delivery, could you please indicate that if you respond with a posted reply?

I believe my autism was caused by my parents genetics who ever they are (I am adopted I don't know who they are) along with the good lord blessing me with my autism ^_^

Me? I think it's genetics. No one else in my family is diagnosed with an ASD (at least not that I'm aware of.); but I see various traits in varying degrees all over the family. I've been told by some family members (mom, dad, one cousin) that they don't like making eye contact, for example.

There is one other possible cause/semi-cause that could be possible, but I doubt it. That was, if I recall correctly, that they pulled me out of my mom with a clamp on my head.... or something like that. I'm fuzzy on the details. But like I said, I doubt it. My skull seems fine, and I had a what-do-you-call-it?..... CAT scan? Before when I was younger, and people were on the ever going search for what was/is "wrong" with me. No answers arrived from that CAT scan, so.

Genetics.
My dad shows most of the same Asperger's traits that I do.

it's impossible to determine as I fill the criteria for a few of the reasons you gave (genes, testosterone in womb, premature birth, arythmia, possible environmental causes (??))

No idea.

I suspected genetics at first. Basically because everyone I encountered at first claimed AS was genetic. So I was looking for traits in my family but researching the issue, I couldn't find such traits. It's all in their personality and not in their abilities.

Vaccination couldn't have caused it for I was autistic before I got the MMR.

Normal birth too. The amniotic fluid was green though, so the doctors at first checked the box for birth complications but then decided it was all fine and checked 'normal' too. Had perfect apgar scores and perfect health.

No idea about high testosterone. I have extremely low systematizing scores (and medium high/high EQ) and am not at all kind of systematising, logical autistic person.

I never knew that getting tangled in the cord can cause autism!

My mum told me something about that happening to me, the cord got tied up on my neck I think, not sure of the details though.

Hmm...

Its a theory not a fact.

My father has AS, almost certainly, and from his stories, probably his father also. No issues with my birth, no known toxins. I was vaccinated (1940's), but my grandfather (1870's, frontier) probably was not. The more I look, the more rather peculiar folk I find on my mom's side as well. I was probably a convergence of predispositions.

I think that what we have going on here is that all of the suggested causes are indeed theories (from genetics to vaccinations). Who knows for sure what the cause(s) of autism is/are?

For philosopherBoi: Yes, there is research about oxygen deprivation causing autism. And being wrapped or entangled in the cord can cause oxygen deprivation. You should find out more details on your birth. See how long you suffered oxygen deprivation. I know my Mom said that her contractions were really weird and were weak---more like little tinges. My parents went to the hospital 30 minutes away and it was determined I was suffering oxygen deprivation. The last thing my Mom heard when going under for the C-Section was, "the pulse is growing weak". When she woke up she thought I had died.

Also, there are some interesting people in my family tree too. My father is somewhat different---and his father (my grandfather) was very different. Who knows?

Genetic
My dads family had someone with bi polar and my mums family had a shciztophrenic plus me dad has autistic traits
OR i was dropped on me head

Last edited by MegaAndy on 03 Feb 2009, 12:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Interesting.

Although, there where also people in my family who had traits so maybe it was just genetic for me.

i think it is genetic.

My totally honest answer is probably genetic. My father has never been officially diagnosed, but I personally think he clearly has Asperger's. My mom is as NT as you can get. For kicks, I made her take the AQ test and she got like a 10 or 12, lol.

However, I think that a lot of factors probably play a role. Of the other theories outside of heredity, I also think it may be testosterone. Then again, the levels of testosterone in the womb may also be triggered by certain genetic make-ups - so it could be that both "causes" are one in the same.

I personally identify with some of the theories on the amygdala and know that testosterone can play a huge role in fetal brain development. I am also not heterosexual, which is also often hypothesized to be linked to levels of testosterone in the womb.

So...both?

Even though I did get the MMR jab which some believe causes autism, I think I got mine through genetics.

Here is an interesting site. It says:

"About fifty percent of AS patients suffered oxygen deprivation during birth, leading to the hypothesis that the syndrome is (in part) caused by brain tissue damage before or during birth."


"Although there is still ambiguity about the inheritance of AD, several chromosome regions that may be involved have been identified. It is clear that multiple genes are involved in this complex syndrome."


"As of now, no brain scans or blood tests can diagnose AS."


http://www.wikigenetics.org/index.php/Asperger_Syndrome