ERIC Number: EJ1364520
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Mar
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1750-8592
EISSN: EISSN-1750-8606
Prenatal Socioenvironmental Exposures and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Web of Confusion
Dickerson, Aisha S.; Dickerson, Asha S.
Child Development Perspectives, v17 n1 p32-38 Mar 2023
Although evidence of heritability for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is strong, studies of twin pairs suggest that at least some portion of the etiology is attributable to environmental factors, either directly or through interaction with genes. Given the multitude of environmental and psychosocial exposures that have been reported to increase atypical neurodevelopment in offspring, in this article, we summarize what prenatal air pollutant, chemical, and occupational exposures and psychosocial stressors have been reportedly associated with ASD and co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders. We highlight the consistencies in reported associations and recommend areas for research to close gaps in our understanding of environmental risk for ASD. Because this issue is of particular importance in historically marginalized communities and low- and middle-income countries, we also discuss the importance of environmental justice issues and exposure disparities in research, and we advocate for prioritizing policies to reduce disparities and improve service provision in vulnerable populations.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Environmental Influences, Pollution, Hazardous Materials, Stress Variables, Risk, Social Justice, At Risk Persons, Research Needs, Prenatal Influences, Work Environment
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) (DHHS/NIH); National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: K01ES032046; U2COD023375