Page 7 - Autism Awareness Session
P. 7
Is Autism Genetic?
Not as rare as once thought: 1% of population
Autism is known to have at least a partial genetic cause.
Evidence of intergenerational characteristics.
Over 100 genes associated with autism.
Rare genetic variations in 5-10% of autistic people.
In over 90% of cases, autism is thought to be due to common genetic
variants – genes we all carry but may be different combinations for
autistic people.
It is not completely genetic as one of identical twins can be autistic.
Genetic disposition plus other pre-natal factors that may be at play
e.g. gestational diabetes.
