Autism is genetic – and why this information matters now
8 hours ago
- The National Autistic Society has definitively stated that autism is genetic—people are born autistic and remain autistic for life.
- Most cases of autism are inherited through thousands of genes from parents, with only rare instances involving other factors like rubella infection or valproate exposure during pregnancy.
- Misinformation about autism causes (e.g., vaccines, paracetamol) is harmful and has been debunked by extensive research; this clarity helps counter false claims.
- There is no genetic test for autism; it is complex and cannot be used for diagnosis or prediction.
- The charity conducted a comprehensive review of 99 sources, including 83 research papers, to provide clear evidence on autism causes.
- Autistic people face significant stigma, poor mental health, and high suicide rates; they want research focused on support and societal change, not cures.
- The National Autistic Society emphasizes that with proper support, autistic people can live fulfilling lives, and efforts should shift to improving education, employment, health, and social care.