The role of hereditary factors in autism:
A) has been based on large-scale studies of autistic parents and their children
B) was more prevalent when the disorder was first defined, in the 1960s
C) has recently been confirmed by family and twin studies
D) is about equal to that played by environmental factors, such as parenting

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Recent family and twin studies have provided strong evidence for the role of hereditary factors in autism, with estimates of the heritability of the disorder ranging from 50-90%. This suggests that genetic factors are a major contributor to the development of autism, though environmental factors may also play a role. The idea that parenting or other environmental factors are as important as genetics in causing autism is not supported by scientific evidence.

The Role of Hereditary Factors in Autism