90% of autism is caused by genetic factors.
90% of the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder is attributed to genetics, which means that autism is also highly heritable, and often involves a combination of inherited genes and also spontaneous, non inherited genetic changes, which are known as de novo mutations.
Autism is not usually caused by a single gene, but instead by the cumulative effect of hundreds of genetic variants.
It's also been suggested that around 80 percent to 90 percent of autism cases are also linked to inherited mutations, and around 50 percent of autism cases may be a result of de novo mutations, and new mutations that arise spontaneously in the egg or sperm cells, even without a family history of autism.
And studies also have shown that when one identical twin has autism, the other twin also has a 60 percent to 90 percent change of also being on the autism spectrum, which also highlights the significant role of share genetics in autism.
It's also been shown in studies that siblings that have autism, often also share a higher percentage of their father's genome, which suggests a strong paternal genetic influence.
And although genetics dominate autism, environmental factors, most particularly during prenatal development, like advanced parental age, maternal health issues, etc can act as secondary contributors to autism, which often interact with genetic predispositions.
Level 1 autism in adults was formerly called Asperger's Syndrome and is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by high intelligence and strong verbal skills alongside of notable challenges in social communication and rigid routines as well as sensory sensitivities and a high tendency to mask or hide traits to fit in.
The key characteristics of level 1 autism in adults are difficulty with social communication and difficulty with back and forth conversation, as well as difficulty with interpreting, nonverbal cues, and also having a preference for direct communication.
An adult with level 1 autism also often has a strong need for predictability, structure as well as difficulty adjusting to unexpected changes or transitions and a high sensitivity to environmental stimuli like sounds, lights or smells, which can also result in rapid exhaustion or even overstimulation.
An intense, deep focus on specific topics and masking, which is a common draining effort to consciously mimic neurotypical social behavior to blend in at work or social situations is also common in adults with level 1 autism.
Adults with level 1 autism are usually very independent, although they may sometimes require assistance with navigating of complex social situations, managing sensory overload and organizing of daily tasks, and they often also experience social exhaustion or burnout.
The hardest age for autism is the early childhood ages of 2 to 5 as well as the adolescence ages of 13 to 18 years of age.
The early childhood or 2 to 5 years of age is known as the diagnosis era of autism and communication frustration phase.
During the early child time of age 2 to 5, rapid development leads to high frustration when communication in the child with autism is delayed, which results in frequent meltdowns or tantrums and it's also a major time for the child to adjust to a new diagnosis and navigating interventions.
And the adolescence ages in autism of between 13 to 18 years of age is considered the second peak of difficulty that is known for the perfect storm autism scenarios.
The ages of 13 to 18 in autism is hard, because puberty brings on immense hormonal changes as well as emotional regulation challenges.
And social dynamics also become more complex and unwritten, increasing risks of loneliness, bullying and even burnout, "masking" or camouflaging traits.
The biggest red flag for autism is having trouble with social communication and avoiding eye contact as well as having restricted or repetitive behaviors.
The most significant indicator of autism is the regression in skills like loss of speech, loss of social skills or lack of social skills, babbling and avoiding eye contact or having trouble communicating.
Other main re flags of autism include.
No meaningful two word phrases by 24 months or 2 years of age.
No single words being spoken by 16 months.
No babbling by 12 months of age.
limited or no eye contact and no response to their name by 12 months of age.
And no back and forth gestures like not pointing, showing, reaching or waving by 12 months of age.
Key early red flags of autism by age 12 months to 24 months are lack of joint attention, which is failing to point at objects or look to see if adults are paying attention to them.
Repetitive behaviors like hand flapping, spinning, rocking or intense focus on specific objects like spinning wheels and preferring to play alone, instead of interacting with others or adults.
Also not engaging in imaginative play by age 2 and being over or under sensitive to sounds, textures or lights are also common red flags of autism.
The color that is most liked by autistic people is green, followed by blue.
Green and blue colors are the most liked colors by people with autism, most particularly in muted or pastel tones, as a result of their calming and low stimulation properties.
Autistic people often prefer duller and softer shade colors as they help to reduce sensory overload, and brighter, more intense colors like neon shades or yellow can cause agitation in autistic people.
Green is also viewed as tranquil and calming and blue is widely recognized for it's calming and serene effect and association with stability and it is also the traditional color that is used in autism awareness campaigns, although this choice of color is also sometimes also debated by self advocates.
Soft blue colors, green colors and lavender colors as well as earthy tones are often preferred in people with autism to minimize sensory triggers.
For people with autism you should avoid harsh or fluorescent colors, most particularly the color yellow and stark white as they are often cited as being overwhelming or overstimulating.
Common autistic obsessions are obsessions, with, plush toys, animals, trains, numbers, technology, maps, video games, space, dinosaurs, or even certain shows.
These autistic obsessions are also referred to as expertise, social connections, longevity, function and intensity and focus.
The common autistic obsessions are also known as hyperfixations and special interests.
Autistic people often have a deeper and more focused passion than of a typical hobby and these interests in autistic people are rarely just pastimes, as they are essential for the autistic persons well being and aids them in managing anxiety or sensory overload.
And while some of the autistic persons interests are lifeline, they can also change or evolve over time and sharing these interests can also serve as a crucial bridge for social interaction in autistic people with like minded peers.
These passions of autistic people also frequently lead to a high level of expertise, which can also be applied to vocational and academic pursuits.
The 4 behaviors of autism are also known as S.E.A.T which includes Sensory Stimulation (Automatic), Escape (Avoidance), Attention and Tangibles (Access.
The sensory stimulation (Automatic) behaviors of autism are actions that are performed by autistic people because the actions feel good to them, provide them comfort or help to regulate their sensory input like hand flapping, spinning, rocking, humming etc.
Escape and avoidance in autism are behaviors that are used by autistic people to avoid or end a task, demand or situation, that feels challenging, uncomfortable or overwhelming, like leaving the room, hiding, throwing a pen or pencil, eraser etc.
Attention behavior in autism are actions that are intended to gain social interaction or a reaction from other people, which can also be positive "praise" or negative "scolding", like calling out, interrupting or tapping a person.
Tangible "Access" behaviors in autism are behaviors that are aimed at obtaining a desired item, food, toy or activity, like screaming for a tablet, taking a toy from someone etc.
Autism is also defined by core characteristics, which include.
Sensory sensitivities like high or low reactivity to lights, sounds, smells or textures.
Restricted and repetitive behaviors like a strong preference for routines and or intense focus on specific topics and repetitive movements or stimming.
And social communication challenges, like difficulties in maintaining eye contact, difficulty in having back and forth conversation or difficulty in speaking with others and difficulty in understanding of verbal cues.
Chinning is also another common behavior in autism, especially in people with more severe autism.
Chinning in autism is the repetitive, self stimulatory behavior where a person with autism presses or rubs their chin against objects, surfaces or people for emotional comfort and sensory regulation.
Chinning in autism is often used by children with autism to help manage anxiety, stress or sensory overload.
The behavior of chinning in autism helps to provide calming proprioceptive input.
When a child or someone with autism is chinning, they may push their chin into some soft furniture, toys or cushions.
Other common things a child or someone with autism may do with chinning is to bore their chin into someone's face, shoulder or arm for comfort.
The purpose of chinning in autism is to act as a coping mechanism, and provide deep pressure also known as proprioceptive or tactile stimulation, which is similar to that of a weighted blanket, effect, which helps calm a person with autism during overwhelming moments or transitions.
Chinning in autism is often also referred to as stimming, self stimulatory behavior or sensory seeking behavior and it might also be described as jaw pressing or even pressure seeking.
While chinning is harmless, it might require intervention, if the chinning in autism causes any physical discomfort, like jaw or tooth damage, or if the chinning happens during high stress situations or becomes harmful and intense.
Support for chinning in autism also focuses on providing safe alternatives and identifying triggers of the chinning in autism.
Safe alternatives to chinning in autism are using chewy toys, providing calming heavy pressure to other body parts or even sensory breaks.
Applied Behavior Analysis therapy or ABA therapy can also help manage the chinning in autism.