By Nina Garayan, Esq.

One of the most common questions parents ask after hearing the word autism is also one of the hardest to answer: what caused this?

It is a deeply human question. It often comes from a place of love, concern, and, sometimes, guilt. Parents search for answers because they want understanding, and they want control in a situation that can feel uncertain.

The truth, however, is not simple.

Despite decades of research, we do not know with absolute certainty what causes autism. What we do know is that autism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition influenced by a combination of factors, most notably genetics and environment. But there is no single cause, no universal explanation, and no one answer that applies to every child.

Genetics plays a significant role. Studies have consistently shown that autism tends to run in families. If one child is diagnosed, the likelihood of another child in the same family being diagnosed is higher than in the general population. Twin studies have also demonstrated strong genetic influence, particularly in identical twins.

Researchers have identified hundreds of genes that may be associated with autism. Some of these genes are involved in how brain cells communicate, how synapses form, and how neural pathways develop. However, no single gene causes autism on its own in most cases. Instead, autism appears to result from a combination of genetic variations, many of which are still not fully understood.

At the same time, genetics does not tell the entire story.

Environmental factors are also believed to play a role, particularly during early brain development. These are not environmental factors in the sense of parenting style or upbringing. Autism is not caused by how a child is raised. Rather, researchers look at biological and prenatal influences that may interact with genetic predispositions.

Some studies have explored factors such as advanced parental age, certain prenatal exposures, complications during pregnancy or birth, and maternal health conditions. These factors may slightly increase the likelihood of autism in some cases, but they do not determine outcomes on their own. Many children exposed to these same factors do not develop autism.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that autism is not caused by one thing. It is the result of a complex interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental influences during critical periods of brain development.

And even with this understanding, there are still many unknowns.

For a significant number of children, there is no identifiable cause at all. No genetic mutation that fully explains it. No environmental factor that clearly triggered it. This uncertainty can be frustrating, but it also reflects the reality of how complex the human brain is.

It is also important to address what autism is not caused by. Extensive scientific research has definitively shown that vaccines do not cause autism. This has been studied repeatedly across large populations and remains one of the most well-established conclusions in medical science.

For parents, the uncertainty around causes can sometimes lead to self-blame. Questions like “Did I do something wrong?” or “Could I have prevented this?” are incredibly common.

The answer is no.

Autism is not the result of a single decision, a single exposure, or a single moment. It is not caused by parenting. It is not caused by love or lack of it. It is not something that could have been simply avoided.

What matters far more than identifying a cause is understanding how to support the child in front of you.

Research continues to evolve. Scientists are learning more about brain development, genetics, and the biological pathways involved in autism. New discoveries will continue to emerge. But even as science advances, it is likely that autism will remain a condition with multiple contributing factors rather than a single, universal cause.

As a mother and as an advocate, I believe it is important to shift the conversation. Instead of focusing solely on why autism happens, we can also focus on how we support, empower, and uplift children and families.

Because while we may not have all the answers about causation, we do have growing knowledge about what helps. We know that early support, communication tools, therapy, education, and community can make a meaningful difference in a child’s life.

At Walking With Alex Foundation, our mission is not rooted in finding blame. It is rooted in creating access, building understanding, and supporting families through every stage of the journey.

Autism is complex. The science is still evolving. And it is okay to not have all the answers.

What matters most is what we do with what we do know.

Nina Garayan, Esq.
Co-founder, Walking With Alex Foundation