The Spectrum Brief
Autism research, in plain language
Answers

Autism, answered

Clear, sourced answers to the questions people actually ask about autism — each grounded in cited research and reviewed for accuracy. Educational, not medical advice.

Is autism hereditary?

Autism is strongly hereditary, with 80% of cases linked to genetic factors. Research identifies 100+ risk genes shared across populations, though environment al

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Is autism genetic?

Autism has a strong genetic component, with around 80% of cases linked to inherited mutations. Learn how hundreds of genes affect brain development pathways and

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