ASDs are caused by genetically inherited gut malfunctions

It is routinely put forward that the causes of Autism aren’t known for certain. But I think all the evidence so far shows that Asperger Syndrome and Autism are caused by genetically inherited abnormalities in the functioning of the gut. People just seem to be uncomfortable with the idea that ASDs are genetic in origin.

I was moved to write this post after seeing a famous author on breakfast TV. He has a son who has Autism and he has said, in the past, that it is unknown what causes Autism. Well having seen him “up close” it’s obvious to me this person has Asperger Syndrome judging by his facial expressions and the way he talks. So it’s no great mystery where his son’s Autism came from – his father, and most likely his mother too.

It has to be said that the material (on the internet) explaining gut functioning and ASDs is very hard to understand for the layman. There appear to several gut problems which could cause ASDs, and also different digestive processes and systems involved , and different substances such as yeasts and antibiotics, for example.

The most significant problem seems to be a vulnerability to Gluten (and Casein). When a young child starts to eat gluten containing foods, around 2 years of age or sooner, the improperly digested Peptides from the Gluten then pass through the “leaky gut” and into the brain resulting in the symptoms of Aspergers or Autism.

(See “What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?”  )
(There is a danger of oversimplification here as the enormous variation between different
people with ASDs needs to be explained; for example two adults with Aspergers are
always slightly different, they have varying levels of symptoms, this has been called the “Fruit Salad” by Donna Williams, someone else has used a Graphic Equalizer as a useful analogy. It is most likely that the variability in symptoms is due to qualitative and specific differences in the malfunctioning of the gut in different individuals.)

So in my view there is no need to look for environmental causes of autism like MMR or mercury in teeth fillings (which has now been disproved). I think people are attracted to these external causes because they are more comfortable with them. But it is calculated that 97% of Autistic Spectrum Conditions are genetically related. We can’t all be part of the “magic” 3% of non-genetic Autism!

Also the reason there appears to be an increase in the incidence of Autism I think is due simply to greater awareness of Autism and Aspergers. And today’s society is much more socially sophisticated, it is much more difficult for someone with Aspergers to blend in; society is so conformist and judgemental these days with the obsession with fashion which affects not only clothes but also ways of talking, behaviour, interests and hobbies, etc.. What is deemed socially acceptable or normal is becoming ever more constricted. Of course being a quiet serious thinker is also frowned upon, while loud asininity is de rigeur.

It has to be conceded that the stigma attached to Autism is still in enormous in our predominantly ignorant, judgemental society. Most people’s conception of Aspergers and Autism is simplistic and erroneous. Our society in the main still refuses to accept people who are different, for example gay people who are still derided and stigmatized in a totally abhorrent manner. So therefore it’s understandable that people are so reluctant to acknowledge having Autism in their family let alone in their very genes.

Hopefully it may be possible to educate both neuro-Typicals and people in the Autistic community, including parents, about what Aspergers and Autism actually are.
A final note: how can Asperger Syndrome be such a terrible, shameful condition when most parents of Asperger children will have managed to go through their entire lives without knowing they themselves had a neurological disorder?