Causes of Autism

It is thought that autism is caused by developmental problems that affect the structure or functioning of the brain. Although the cause is not known for certain, current data indicate that genetic factors play a major role. However, it is difficult to identify the genes involved, as autism is not associated with a single gene defect; it arises through the interaction of many genes.
It is thought that environmental factors may increase the risk of autism in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Therefore, studies to understand the relationship between genetic structure and environmental influences are ongoing.