This article is a progress report regarding the advances made in understanding the genetics of autism spectrum disorders (autism). The author notes the rapid increase in cases of autism as follows:

The numbers of children diagnosed with autism have increased dramatically, from less than 1 in 2000 people in the 1980’s to around 1 in 110 children in the United States today. No one is sure to what extent this increase is due to better awareness and diagnostics or a substantive rise in the disorder, but many observers consider autism a national health emergency. http://www.dana.org/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=33984

The research makes clear the genetics of autism are complicated:

The bottom line from the current genetics of autism is that it is very complex. It is now clear that there will not be an “autism gene” or even a small number of genes that consistently cause autism. So, despite the fact that autism appears to be highly genetic, the mechanisms through which genetic risk translates to cause is an area of active research.

The author observes: "An important view has emerged that altered rates of brain maturation, rather than the brain’s condition at any one point in time, are most characteristic of autism."

He concludes:

While progress in understanding the causes of autism has been substantial, many mysteries remain. Why do so many different genes increase risk for autism? Why do the implicated genes link to autism in some people and schizophrenia in others? Why is autism so much more common in boys than in girls? Are there environmental causes of autism that are independent of genetic risk? Why are autistic features so commonly associated with syndromes of intellectual disability? Is it perhaps that autism is a disorder of the most complex cognitive functions of the human brain and any genetic or environmental factor that diminishes cognitive capacity often leads to the symptoms of autism?

We are poised to begin answering these questions. The field of autism research has matured dramatically over the past decade with increasingly sophisticated scientists entering the quest for information with increasingly sophisticated tools. The community of families with autism and individuals with autism has become willing and enthusiastic partners in efforts to understand the causes of autism and finding ways to decrease disability. Working with people with autism, we also understand now, better than at any time before, that autism can bring benefits along with disabilities. Acceptance, rather than treatment, may be the wiser course of action in some cases. The research holds the prospect of providing not only relief to individuals and families with a serious neurodevelopmental disability,but also insight into the brain organization and functions that distinguish humans from all other species.

This article is different from most I read because there is no medication available to treat autism. The author does say that there have been significant advances in treating autism with therapy. I wonder if a better understanding of the genetics will lead to the development of medications.

Lastly, I am curious about whether the knowledge gained to date has actually benefited those with the illness. It appears to me there is much to do before those with autism might live less complicated lives.

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The bottom line is, we don't know what causes autism.