09/24/2025
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), doesn’t have one single cause. Instead, research shows it develops from a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors that affect how the brain develops. The biggest misconception is that rising numbers mean autism itself is suddenly becoming more common. That’s scary to some people, but there’s no new autism “epidemic.” Most of this increase is due to earlier intervention, broader diagnostic criteria, and improved access to services. There doesn’t seem to be a sudden surge in biological incidence.
