Published on 12, July, 2020
A parent who's eldest son has AS has serious doubts that it is genetic in origin as nobody else in the family has it. She thinks that it is caused by teaching children reading, maths, and academic subjects at too young an age. Her theory is that the human brain of a baby is very 'plastic' but hardens with age. If academics are taught at a very young age then the brain is shaped and wired towards this often at the detriment of people skills. If academics are not taught then the brain will shape and wire itself towards people skills. In other words, teach academics and the child will be able to read a book but struggle to read people. Do not teach academics and the child will be able to read people but will not be able to read a book until later in life.
Her eldest son was pushed with academics at a young age and he could read and do simple sums whilst at nursery – something not taught until reception class – but he rarely interacted with the other children and chose to play with toys alone. His three younger siblings were not pushed academically at a young age but were academically average and have grown up neurotypical.
There is some anecdotal evidence that AS (in Britain at least) is more common in middle class areas where parents value academic education, want their children to do well academically, and have plenty of books in the house, than in lower class areas where parents just prefer their children to muddle along and do not value academic education or have many books at home.
Hi Arran,
Just to clarify; we can't yet be certain of a genetic cause for all types of autism, as there are instances where injury has caused autistic traits to appear. I do not believe that it would be helpful to differentiate between those who's traits have a genetic cause and those with an environmental cause.
I hope that by suggesting a '...genetic cause for high functioning autism...' that you are taking into account the potential for epigenetics to have an impact. Epigenetics is a fascinating area, it may prove useful to investigate this in relation to ASCs.
On the other aspects, I agree with your opinion that non life-threatening conditions are seen as less important. Rightly or wrongly, I feel that this is the case for many conditions. I'm afraid that I do not have suitable advice regarding NHS services in this regard.