What Is Idiopathic Autism?

Question: What Is Idiopathic Autism?

Approximately 85% of autism is "idiopathic." What exactly does that mean - and how does it relate to your situation?

Answer: When autism is of known origin (caused by a known genetic anomaly or exposure), it is referred to as "secondary autism." When autism is of unknown origin, it is called "idiopathic autism."

In about 15% of cases, doctors can pinpoint the cause of autism. But while there are over a dozen established causes of autism, most are very rare genetic disorders or prenatal exposures. As a result, 85% of people with autism have what is called "idiopathic autism," or autism "of unknown cause." The remaining 15% have "secondary" autism - autism caused by a primary disorder or exposure.

If you have a child with autism - or are an adult on the autism spectrum - chances are you don't know, and won't know, which precise factors caused the disorder.

More About Causes of Autism:

• What Causes Autism?
• Do Vaccines Cause Autism?
• Is Autism Genetic?

_Sources

_{National Human Genome Research Institute. "Learning About Autism." December 8, 2010.}