Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological disorder that affects behavioral development. Symptoms of autism appear in early childhood, when children begin to receive vaccinations. For many years, people firmly believed that vaccinations caused autism, because around this time, children were beginning to exhibit the common signs of the disease; however this belief is false (Rodier, 1998, p. 122). The early childhood vaccinations that children receive do not cause autism. The direct cause of autism has not yet been determined. Most studies have shown that there is a combination of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the development of autism, but that no single factor is the cause. There are genetic factors and environmental factors that contribute to autism, as well as a combination of the two, in which case an environmental factor may trigger a genetic factor in autism. Autism spectrum disorder is characterized by delays in developmental learning, impaired social skills, and linguistic setbacks. Children who develop autism often have mental deficits that cause them to act several years younger than their age. They are typically placed in school at the kindergarten level and then placed in specialized classes where an individualized educational plan is designed to help them learn at a level and pace appropriate to their mental state. In these classrooms, social skills are also taught more directly than in a regular classroom. The reason for the emphasis on social development is due to the social impairment of autistic children. These children also experience language delays that cause them to speak at toddler level when they are in elementary school and often as adolescents into adulthood. They struggle with pronu...... middle of paper ......stories made about autism have helped shed light on certain genetic beliefs as well as the dangers of certain environmental factors, such as pesticides, metals, and pollutants. Although the study of autism is still very broad, organizations such as CHARGE and other researchers are trying to identify more direct causes. Due to the wide variety of contributing factors, this goal will prove extremely difficult. Adults seeking to conceive cannot control genetic factors, but being aware of environmental factors can help prevent exposure. When it comes to prenatal factors that affect both genetic and environmental factors, all mothers can do is take care of their health and hope for the best. There are many genetic and environmental factors that contribute to autism and it is impossible at this stage of research to determine the direct cause...