Autism Should Not Be Seen As Single Condition With One Cause, Say Scientists
- Reference: 0179634156
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/25/10/02/2217211/autism-should-not-be-seen-as-single-condition-with-one-cause-say-scientists
- Source link:
> Those diagnosed as small children [2]typically have distinct genetic profile from those diagnosed later , [finds an international study based on genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic people in Europe and the U.S]. So, there's more than one condition out there that's being diagnosed as "autism." This, of course, messes with the [3]debate about causes ; one version of autism may be caused by something for which the evidence is very weak overall.
"The term 'autism' likely describes multiple conditions," said Dr Varun Warrier, from Cambridge's department of psychiatry, senior author of the research. "For the first time, we have found that earlier and later diagnosed autism have different underlying biological and developmental profiles."
"It is a gradient," added Warrier. "There are also many other factors that contribute to age of diagnosis, so the moment you go from averages to anything that is applicable to an individual, it's false equivalency."
The analysis has been [4]published in the journal Nature .
[1] https://slashdot.org/~Bruce66423
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/01/autism-should-not-be-seen-as-single-condition-with-one-cause-say-scientists
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_in_autism
[4] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09542-6
I mean sure (Score:2)
It could be Tylenol or it could be vaccines or it could even be the dreaded ghey or maybe those dastardly drag queens!
Jokes aside we really are still at the leeches stage when it comes to mental health. Assuming our civilization doesn't collapse and that is assuming a lot in 200 years they're going to look back and wince when they see how we handle mental health care.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
My take on reading the summary is that doctors should try to separate more classifications of "autism". Try to quantify different symptoms into different groups and classify it as different things. Then try to find causes, if any other than random DNA mutations. However, I feel very strongly that we should fund the greatest minds who go through Medical School, and trust their conclusions, and not a Politician who pulls shit out of his ass.
Re: I mean sure (Score:1)
I think the only one that needs help is you but sadly ignorance is rarely overcome.
Re: (Score:1)
Can brainworms alone cause medical data hallucination?
Re: (Score:2)
Anecdotal evidence proves that yes, brainworms alone can cause medical data hallucination.
Re: (Score:2)
How do you separate that from the after-effects of a previous heroin addiction?
Re: (Score:2)
I am just surprised that nobody pointed out that the phrase: "Anecdotal evidence proves" is an oxymoron! lol. But... MAGAs seem to base all of their "alternative facts" on the same.
Does orange skin & stupidity have one cause ? (Score:3)
Just asking for a friend.
Re: (Score:3)
Anecdotal evidence proves that yes, Orange skin is the cause of stupidity.
Re: (Score:2)
There's certainly a correlation. Red skin also (on an old guy that is supposedly white). RFK seems more red than orange, though haven't taken an RGB sample. Maybe that's why he's so against food coloring. He got into a bottle of FD&C red #7 in his 20s and has never been the same.
Re: (Score:2)
I'm trying to figure out the color coding for RFK... K stands for black, but somehow, three K's stands for white. The Jr probably means split the two, and mix with the color of yo' daddy, so grey. R is for red. F is for... fuchsia, I guess. So RFK Jr = Red + Fuchsia + Grey. Sounds about right.
Not a single condition? (Score:2)
So, is Asperger's Syndrome back in?
Re: (Score:2)
I think people with Asperger's syndrome are funny, and think they should be accepted and welcomed into the workforce. They seem to be very great at a small set of skills, and that should be harnessed and rewarded.
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Aspergers was never really considered a separate condition in the biological sense, rather it was just a classification intended to separate profound and non profound cases (Ie people with significant disability vs the "awkward and likes trains" people). But no thats not whats being suggested here, rather that there might be whole separate conditions with the same or similar symptoms but different underlying biology.
I strongly suspect theres something similar going on with ADHD, and its almost certain its
nobody says this (Score:1)
Strawman: Nobody says there is one cause.
And Trump is right about autism and pregnant women.
Re: (Score:2)
The problem with Trump saying that Tylenol causes Autism, is multi-fold. One is that he is not a Doctor, has not read the studies, and does not have the skills to understand the studies. Another is that Trump is clearly Corrupt and apparently the makers of Tylenol did not grease him with money. Many Doctors think that Fevers that can be treated with Tylenol are a great risk to babies. Trump doesn't give a shit about that. I don't want a Politician who is the Authority on Everything, I want a Presiden
Re: (Score:2)
Lay off the Tylenol.
Re:Autism is bull. (Score:5, Insightful)
No, unfortunately, it's not. My son and I are both high functioning Autistics. While we both excel in some areas, others we are just clueless on. Give me something technical and I'll figure it out, guaranteed. Put me in a room full of people in a social setting and I feel like a literal fish out of water. It can be sometimes be scary and lonely which truly sucks. I wish Autism was bull.
Re: (Score:1)
Your mom's spectrum of VD was perfectly preventable and is mostly treatable.
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Only someone who has never been around someone who is autistic, could say such a thing.
Autism is often debilitating, some who suffer from it can never function as adults, in their entire life. They may need to have someone care for them permanently. Others are higher functioning and can hold down a job and make a life for themselves. But they often share an inability to read other people's emotions or social cues. Many are extremely brilliant in some specific areas, but hopelessly lost in others.
The only th