RAYMOND GALLUP truegrit@gti.net:

1993 Autism Society of America Newsletter

Diagnosis of the Syndrome of Autism: Questions Parents Ask.

B.J. Freeman, Ph.D.
Professor of Medical Psychology
Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences
UCLA School of Medicine
Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759

Page 6

What causes autism?

At this point in time we do not know what causes autism. However,
current research indicates that anything that can produce structural or
functional damage in the central nervous system can also produce the
syndrome of autism. We know that certain viruses and known genetic
conditions have been associated with autism (Ritvo et al., 1991). In
addition, in rare cases there is more than one autistic child in the
family. AT THIS POINT, IT IS BELIEVED THAT ABOUT TEN PER CENT OF CASES
OF AUTISM CAN BE ACCOUNTED FOR GENETICALLY. Generally no one can tell
you specifically why your child is autistic or why you have an autistic
child and your neighbor does not.