Autism Is Not a Single Condition and Has No Single Cause, Scientists Conclude

[jmyrlefuller]

https://www.wired.com/story/autism-is-not-a-single-condition-and-has-no-single-cause-scientists-conclude/

New research from the University of Cambridge suggests that autism should not be understood as a homogeneous condition with a single cause. Scientists found that people diagnosed in early childhood often have a different genetic profile than those diagnosed later in life, broadening the understanding of how the condition develops.

The study analyzed the behavior of autistic people during childhood and adolescence in the United Kingdom and Australia. It also evaluated genetic data of more than 45,000 patients with the condition from diverse cohorts in Europe and the United States.

By linking genetic information to age at diagnosis, the researchers observed that the profiles of those identified early with the condition differed from those who received confirmation at later stages. They found only a slight overlap between the two groups, indicating that the biological mechanisms associated with autism in childhood may be different from those linked to autism identified in adolescence or adulthood.

(snip)

The study adds that the average genetic profile of those diagnosed later was closer to that of ADHD and conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder than to that of “classic” autism identified in early childhood.

(excerpted)

[jmyrlefuller]

We used to call late diagnosis "Asperger syndrome" but that became too un-PC and they lumped it into "autism spectrum disorder." Based on this research, that may well have been a grievous mistake.

[Smokin Joe]

So they know what causes it, right?

If it has no single cause, they must know what causes are present...

[DefiantMassRINO]

'Austism' is a collection of symptoms whose causes and treatment have yet to known to medicine and science.

It's difficult to study the brain while its owner is still alive.

Understanding of the neurological components of and condition requires advances in technology to help measure and image what's exactly happening in the nervous system.

Even when they have a better understanding of the clinical neurological behaviors, that will lead them further down the road to study evolutionary, behavioral, DNA, environment, bio-chemistry, and pharma-chemistry contributions to the symptoms.

The way I interpret Autism is that those with such a diagnosis experience and react to the world around us differently than what is the currently accepted clinical baseline.

Science and medicine still maintain an element of eugenics when they attempt to define "normal" and "baseline".

Living is experiental.  It only makes sense that each of the experiential inputs and outputs are processed uniquely among individuals.  Otherwise, we'd be carbon copies of each other with significantly less uniqueness among us.  We'd all be the biological equivalent of mass produced Ford Model-T automobiles ... listening to the same music and liking the same foods.

[Smokin Joe]

'Austism' is a collection of symptoms whose causes and treatment have yet to known to medicine and science.

It's difficult to study the brain while its owner is still alive.

Understanding of the neurological components of and condition requires advances in technology to help measure and image what's exactly happening in the nervous system.

Even when they have a better understanding of the clinical neurological behaviors, that will lead them further down the road to study evolutionary, behavioral, DNA, environment, bio-chemistry, and pharma-chemistry contributions to the symptoms.

The way I interpret Autism is that those with such a diagnosis experience and react to the world around us differently than what is the currently accepted clinical baseline.

Science and medicine still maintain an element of eugenics when they attempt to define "normal" and "baseline".

Living is experiental.  It only makes sense that each of the experiential inputs and outputs are processed uniquely among individuals.  Otherwise, we'd be carbon copies of each other with significantly less uniqueness among us.  We'd all be the biological equivalent of mass produced Ford Model-T automobiles ... listening to the same music and liking the same foods.

I agree that human development is a multivariate situation, perhaps more variables (also dependent on timing) than can be shuffled in. Perhaps that is the wonder and beauty of being human, but it can sure go the other way.

[Free Vulcan]

I look back now at my childhood and I realize I had some Asberger like tendencies. Yet it wasn't always innate, it could be triggered too.

If I ate and slept well, and kept the stress level low, I trended away from those tendencies. I think alot of it is society induced, and a general lack of nutrition and sleep. Toxins maybe too, who knows.

[Smokin Joe]

http://med.iiab.me/modules/en-cdc/www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/images/2014-fluoridation-growth-population-658px-revised.jpg
Image won't load, so here's the link in the growth of water fluoridation over time (number of people with fluoridated water, population vs time).



  Not saying this is it, just noting the increase.

[Kamaji]

http://med.iiab.me/modules/en-cdc/www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/images/2014-fluoridation-growth-population-658px-revised.jpg
Image won't load, so here's the link in the growth of water fluoridation over time (number of people with fluoridated water, population vs time).



  Not saying this is it, just noting the increase.

Correlation is not causation. 

[PeteS in CA]

Just a reminder, "Autism" was first "officially" recognized as a condition different than schizophrenia and symptoms defined in 1980 (DSM-III). IOW, diagnoses of autism would very naturally be increasing in the past 45 years. Claims linking increased diagnoses of autism with anything begun/increasing at the same time need to be taken with a sizeable block of salt.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Just a reminder, "Autism" was first "officially" recognized as a condition different than schizophrenia and symptoms defined in 1980 (DSM-III). IOW, diagnoses of autism would very naturally be increasing in the past 45 years. Claims linking increased diagnoses of autism with anything begun/increasing at the same time need to be taken with a sizeable block of salt.

Agreed.  We keep flying off the handle like RFK (whom we should never use as a source of serious science) about “increased Dx” of EVERYTHING.

One of the reasons is as you state - late discoveries, later improvements in understanding, later improvements in technology to detect more.

Fluoridation has been around since the ‘40s.  It’s been in Crest and other toothpaste since the ‘50s.  Vaccines have been around a long time, with many being used at once some 30 years ago.  No one complains about the endless push for “flu vax” every single year with variations every year …oh no, that’s absolutely necessary!  lol

[Smokin Joe]

Correlation is not causation.

Never said it was.
In fact I was thinking of the bit from Dr. Strangelove when I posted it.

Still, if there is a correlation, why not examine it to see if there is more to it?

[Smokin Joe]

Agreed.  We keep flying off the handle like RFK (whom we should never use as a source of serious science) about “increased Dx” of EVERYTHING.

One of the reasons is as you state - late discoveries, later improvements in understanding, later improvements in technology to detect more.

Fluoridation has been around since the ‘40s.  It’s been in Crest and other toothpaste since the ‘50s.  Vaccines have been around a long time, with many being used at once some 30 years ago.  No one complains about the endless push for “flu vax” every single year with variations every year …oh no, that’s absolutely necessary!  lol

Again, I' m not saying fluoridation is the problem at all.
I used those toothpastes in the 50s (my folks were a fan of Crest), but you brush your teeth and spit. You aren't supposed to swallow the toothpaste.
Not the same as drinking the water.
We had deep well artesian water, very good, very low mineral content, no fluoride where I grew up (Southern MD).
I was back there a couple years ago.
It is the last unfiltered tap water I ever drank in any quantity. Good for coffee, good to drink, and I was there over a month.
By contrast, the water at Dulles Airport (the TSA made me dump the good stuff and refill my bottle) tasted like chemical soup. I only drank 200 ml or so of it from Dulles to Denver to ND, it was that bad, and I would have swished my mouth and spit it out if I'd had a place to spit.

I'm not some rabid purist about organic foods, etc., but I do believe what you eat and drink, especially in your formative years, makes a difference. Certainly, nutrition does. I do not think what kids are eating nowadays compares with the fresh produce from the farm, wild game, fresh caught fish and shellfish, and farm grown livestock I grew up eating.

...and I have never had a flu shot.

[jmyrlefuller]

Here's the link to the study itself, BTW:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09542-6

[libertybele]

Just a reminder, "Autism" was first "officially" recognized as a condition different than schizophrenia and symptoms defined in 1980 (DSM-III). IOW, diagnoses of autism would very naturally be increasing in the past 45 years. Claims linking increased diagnoses of autism with anything begun/increasing at the same time need to be taken with a sizeable block of salt.

Diagnosing autism and anything on the 'spectrum' of autism has obviously increased, but yes, perhaps it is due to it wasn't as recognized as it is today.

Secondly, parents and schools get extra $$ for autism; so there is an incentive to label children with a diagnosis.

Also -- how many vaccines must a child get now in order to get into school???? The number is ridiculous and IIRC an infant is given a Hep B shot before they leave the hospital. 

[libertybele]

Agreed.  We keep flying off the handle like RFK (whom we should never use as a source of serious science) about “increased Dx” of EVERYTHING.

One of the reasons is as you state - late discoveries, later improvements in understanding, later improvements in technology to detect more.

Fluoridation has been around since the ‘40s.  It’s been in Crest and other toothpaste since the ‘50s.  Vaccines have been around a long time, with many being used at once some 30 years ago.  No one complains about the endless push for “flu vax” every single year with variations every year …oh no, that’s absolutely necessary!  lol

I had the flu vaccine once for employment.  I got sick almost immediately, more sick than I had ever been in my life.  They claim you can't get sick from the flu shot.  B.S.!!!  Never again would I subject myself to another flu shot.  Nurses, doctors and hospitals all push for people to get the flu shot.  They've stopped pushing around here for people to get the COVID vaccine.

[Smokin Joe]

Here's the link to the study itself, BTW:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09542-6

Thanks, @jmyrlefuller !

[jmyrlefuller]

Diagnosing autism and anything on the 'spectrum' of autism has obviously increased, but yes, perhaps it is due to it wasn't as recognized as it is today.

Secondly, parents and schools get extra $$ for autism; so there is an incentive to label children with a diagnosis.

I've always thought that a lot of it was the change in society. 20th century American society was good to people with autistic traits and basic functioning skills. You could go to a monotonous job, have a clear life path, and succeed not much differently than anyone else.

In the 21st century era when everything is pure chaos, people who struggle with the lack of a clear direction are more likely to stand out and look like there's something wrong with us.

[libertybele]

I've always thought that a lot of it was the change in society. 20th century American society was good to people with autistic traits and basic functioning skills. You could go to a monotonous job, have a clear life path, and succeed not much differently than anyone else.

In the 21st century era when everything is pure chaos, people who struggle with the lack of a clear direction are more likely to stand out and look like there's something wrong with us.

Chaos isn't exactly a good setting for someone who is autistic anyways. 

Frankly, it just frosts my behind that children are labeled to begin with. The 'system' only makes matters worse. Children learn differently and at different rates. 

My nephew didn't speak words until he was around 4 years old and only made sounds. However he wound up doing well in school and became well decorated in the military.  Luckily he escaped any labels as he began talking before he entered school.

[Smokin Joe]

Chaos isn't exactly a good setting for someone who is autistic anyways. 

Frankly, it just frosts my behind that children are labeled to begin with. The 'system' only makes matters worse. Children learn differently and at different rates. 

My nephew didn't speak words until he was around 4 years old and only made sounds. However he wound up doing well in school and became well decorated in the military.  Luckily he escaped any labels as he began talking before he entered school.

Not just labels, but medication--some of which would have made him ineligible for the Service.

[MeganC]

Blindness has multiple causes but it is still the same condition. Ditto that with autism regardless of what the ekspurts have to say.

Remember these are the same people who can't tell the difference between a man and a woman.

[mountaineer]

I just happened to start reading a mystery novel today in which two characters - siblings - have Asperger's syndrome. The author, Michael Palmer, M.D., points out that it was first described by Austrian pediatrician Hans Asperger in 1944. I had no idea.

Describing one of the characters, a computer genius, he continues: "(T)he gray matter once destined for learning such things as nonverbal communication, social grace, small talk, interpersonal pragmatics, group dynamics, and executive function had largely been usurped by an understanding at his mind's deepest levels of electronics and computer science. The groupings of neurons responsible for fine motor control and hand-eye coordination had yielded in large measure to the remarkable ability to focus for long periods of time on those things that interested him."

I found it a helpful explanation of the condition, at least as it affects some people.

[verga]

I had the flu vaccine once for employment.  I got sick almost immediately, more sick than I had ever been in my life.  They claim you can't get sick from the flu shot.  B.S.!!!  Never again would I subject myself to another flu shot.  Nurses, doctors and hospitals all push for people to get the flu shot.  They've stopped pushing around here for people to get the COVID vaccine.

I had it twice, and got the flu twice. Never again. First time I thought it was just a coincidence. Second time, got the shot at 8:00 am, by 2 pm I thought I was dying. Vergette had to come get me, because I was too sick to drive.

[verga]

Blindness has multiple causes but it is still the same condition. Ditto that with autism regardless of what the ekspurts have to say.

Remember these are the same people who can't tell the difference between a man and a woman.

I have worked with students for 30 years. Autism is not a "one size fits all". They function at any number of different levels and present with any number of capabilities.