Autism is up 57% in the U.S. since 2002. “Almost one percent of American children have autism,” including “one in 70 boys and one in 315 girls,” according to the CDC.

In one peer-reviewed autism study 4779 children in Sweden were studied.

“Five statistically significant variables emerged:
*(1) maternal smoking;
(2) male sex;
(3) economic problems in the family;
*(4) condensation on windows, a proxy for low ventilation rate in the home;
*(5) PVC flooring, especially in the parents’ bedroom.”

*This is within your power to change.

PVC flooring contains phthalates, which are neurotoxic.

All phthalates were removed from infant bottle nipples, teethers, and mouthing toys in the U.S. and Canada, but phthalates are ubiquitous and toxic. Survey your environment and dump them as much as you can.

For treatment, the casein/gluten free diet might be helpful: 2 small studies show minor improvement. The diet will probably help parents to cook more, always good.

In adults, however, gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are real: take the fun, quick Gluten Free Quiz to see if you need screening. Print it out for your doc.

Autism is diagnosed at 4.5 years old, on average. Genes plus environmental factors create the condition, and related Asperger’s: probably genes important in inflammation and immunity.

It is more diagnosed and more inclusively, but that doesn’t explain it all. Genes do not change this quickly.

Environmental factors, including nutrition and diet; household products and vaccinations are all suspect. What do you think causes autism?