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The development of autism spectrum disorders: variability and causal complexity
Author(s) -
Wozniak Robert H.,
Leezenbaum Nina B.,
Northrup Jessie B.,
West Kelsey L.,
Iverson Jana M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
wiley interdisciplinary reviews: cognitive science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.526
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1939-5086
pISSN - 1939-5078
DOI - 10.1002/wcs.1426
Subject(s) - autism , variation (astronomy) , psychology , mechanism (biology) , autism spectrum disorder , cognitive psychology , developmental psychology , autistic spectrum , physics , quantum mechanics , astrophysics
The autism spectrum is highly variable, both behaviorally and neurodevelopmentally. Broadly speaking, four related factors contribute to this variability: (1) genetic processes, (2) environmental events, (3) gene × environment interactions, and (4) developmental factors. Given the complexity of the relevant processes, it appears unlikely that autism spectrum atypicalities can be attributed to any one causal mechanism. Rather, the development of neural atypicality reflects an interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors. As the individual grows, changes in neural atypicality, consequent variation in behavior, and environmental response to that behavior may become linked in a positive feedback loop that amplifies deviations from the typical developmental pattern. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1426. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1426 This article is categorized under: Neuroscience > Clinical Neuroscience Neuroscience > Development