title: The development of autism spectrum disorders: variability and causal complexity.
abstract: The autism spectrum is highly variable, both behaviorally and neurodevelopmentally. Broadly speaking, four related factors contribute to this variability: (1) genetic processes, (2) environmental events, (3) gene × environment interactions, and (4) developmental factors. Given the complexity of the relevant processes, it appears unlikely that autism spectrum atypicalities can be attributed to any one causal mechanism. Rather, the development of neural atypicality reflects an interaction of genetic and environmental risk factors. As the individual grows, changes in neural atypicality, consequent variation in behavior, and environmental response to that behavior may become linked in a positive feedback loop that amplifies deviations from the typical developmental pattern. WIREs Cogn Sci 2017, 8:e1426. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1426 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA.|Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Wozniak
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Nina B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Leezenbaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jessie B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Northrup
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Kelsey L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Jana M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Iverson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D048788:Growth and Development; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors