Researchers find that increased levels of testosterone could cause autism in kids

Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that autism is linked to in utero exposure of the fetus to very high levels of testosterone, reports WFAA.

Experts say that increased levels of the hormone during prenatal care can lead to extreme “masculinization” of the brain of a newborn. According to studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 33 percent of parents of children with autism noticed a problem before the child was one year old.

The study found that testosterone levels can be twice as high in males they are in females. Furthermore, males are four times more likely to develop autism and are nine times more likely to be diagnosed with asperger’s syndrome. However, researchers found that the number of autistic traits a child exhibited directly correlated with their fetal testosterone level, regardless of the child’s gender.

Boarding schools can help those who suffer from the effects of autism by providing an atmosphere that allows them to succeed socially.

According to a recent study by the CDC, nearly 36,500 children will eventually be diagnosed with autism every year.