Causes of Autism: an Overload of Options

Just recently, I received a Google alert saying that ultrasounds performed during pregnancy may be the cause of the rise in cases of autism. This theory is another in a long, long line of "who knows? could be?" possibilities that just keep hitting the headlines.

Since my son's diagnosis (about 6 years ago) I've learned that autism is/may be caused by ... pitocin used during the birth process...mercury in tuna eaten during pregnancy...mercury in vaccines...live viruses in vaccines...genetics...differences in brain size, shape, function or chemical processing..."too much maleness," dietary intolerances, vitamin deficiences, problems with sound processing, sensory processing or visual processing...

The possibilities are endless. And since none can be proved or disproved so far, all COULD be correct. While most professionals agree that a combination of genetics and environmental factors are likely to blame, the make-up of those factors -- and their impacts on individual people -- are incredibly tough to work out.

And so we continue to be bombarded with could bes, might bes, and the possibility that the next new therapy is "the one."

How do you handle the information overload? Do you research each new idea? Or let some of the info just roll off your back? How do you pick and choose?