There are many articles and books written on the causes of autism. Many are written on a medical level that makes them difficult to read or understand. Research journal articles are also often difficult to decipher and navigate through the data. Child development, child psychology and child behavior experts share common ground in their discussions of autism and the challenges facing parents today. Cross Creek Family Counseling Online recently publish an article that outlines the causes of autism in a manner that the general public will understand. Parents searching for answers on the causes of autism will find this article very helpful.

The Causes of Autism

 

It is generally accepted that autism is caused by abnormalities in brain structures or functions. Using a variety of new research tools to study human and animal brain growth, scientists are discovering more about normal development and how abnormalities occur. The brain of a fetus develops throughout pregnancy. Starting out with a few cells, the cells grow and divide until the brain contains billions of specialized cells, called neurons. Research sponsored by NIMH and other components at the National Institutes of Health is playing a key role in showing how cells find their way to a specific area of the brain and take on special functions. Once in place, each neuron sends out long fibers that connect with other neurons. In this way, lines of communication are established between various areas of the brain and between the brain and the rest of the body. As each neuron receives a signal it releases chemicals called neurotransmitters, which pass the signal to the next neuron. By birth, the brain has evolved into a complex organ with several distinct regions and subregions, each with a precise set of functions and responsibilities.
Google
 

Pages: 1 2 3


Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • Facebook
  • Socialogs
  • bodytext
  • Propeller
  • del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Live