what causes autism
Home / What is Autism? / Causes. There is no known single cause for autism spectrum disorder, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function. Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism compared to in neurotypical children.
Into this knowledge gap have come all sorts of weird and wacky ideas about the causes of autism: television, power lines, vaccines, and sex position during conception. None have any credence, but have fuelled the mystery surrounding what may cause autism.