Autism Spectrum Disorder: Nature vs. Nurture

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with a variety of inherited disorders, but most diagnoses have no identifiable genetic etiology. There has been a significant increase in the incidence of ASD diagnoses in the past three decades. The now-discredited vaccine theory of ASD causation has driven concerns over environmental exposures that may or may not lead to ASD. Here, I discuss the evidence for an underlying genetic basis for ASD, the evidence that environmental inputs could play a significant role ASD and potential treatments for associated symptoms.