The cause or causes of autism are unknown, however, a recent study suggests that genetics may play a key role, after three autistic children were linked to the same sperm donor.

According to a CNN article, five-and-a-half year-old Dylan Jackaway, who was diagnosed with autism at age two, is one of six children conceived with sperm donated by a single donor at California Cryobank, one of the largest sperm donor banks in the U.S.

Of the six donor siblings, three have been diagnosed with autism and one more child is showing possible signs.

While the identities of donors are not revealed, clients are able to make selections based on traits they’d like their child to have. Dylan’s mother said she chose Donor X, as he is now known, based on his profile, which stated that he liked music, traveling, and had a high IQ to go with his degree in economics.

Since news of the autism link was released, Donor X’s samples have been removed from the general catalog and will now only be made available to returning clients. If a request is made, the client will be made aware of the newest information regarding Donor X’s samples.

Genetics or vaccines?
This most recent information suggesting a genetic link is telling, but the cause, or causes, of autism have been hotly debated. While many experts believe genetics play a key role, perhaps predisposing the child to the condition or increasing their susceptibility to an environmental trigger, some parents remain convinced that vaccines are to blame, despite widespread evidence to the contrary.

Read Amy’s articles here and here regarding the vaccine debate.

Autism’s red flags
While the actual cause of autism spectrum disorder is still a medical mystery, parents are encouraged to actively watch for what Detroit’s Henry Ford Hospital senior staff pediatrician Dr. Tisa Johnson refers to as “red flags.”

Outside of traditional well-visits and autism screening, Johnson recommends parents seek medical attention should their child display any of the following:

• No babbling or pointing to a desired object by 12 months
• No singe words by 16 months
• Lack of spontaneous two-word phrases by 24 months
• Any loss or regression of social or language skills

Recent statistics indicate that one in every 150 children is diagnosed with autism, with boys being affected four-to-one compared to girls. So why the continued rise?

Increased public awareness and a shift in medical diagnosis over the last 15 to 20 years, says Johnson.

“Some children who were being diagnosed with mental retardation are now being diagnosed as autistic,” Johnson says. “And with increased awareness, many children are being diagnosed much earlier.”

You can read more about autism in a commentary by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as in articles on baby gooroo: Vaccination: A National Success Story
and Autism Rates Increase and in Amy Spangler’s Feeding Times: Vaccines, Thimerosal and Autism: Separating the Myths from the Fact.