1). What do you think are some of the causal factors for autism that might explain its increase in diagnosis?
2). Do you feel the causal factor is both physiological and psychological? Why?
3). Do we know which DNA has predispositions?
4). According to authors such as Palmieri & Persico (2010), mitochondrial dysfunction is a causal factor that not only triggers the disorder but also impacts the extent to which prenatal factors will further debilitate neurological development. Do you really think its a mitochondria dysfunction or is it just a way for scientist to distract the public by giving information that they aren't sure about the answer to the question?
Reference:
Palmieri, L. & Persico, A. (2010). Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: Cause or effect? Bioenergetics, 1797(6-7), 1130-1137. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2010.04.018.