As we all grapple trying to understand our world of ASD some people question, is autism evolutionary?
Whilst we couldn’t get Charles Darwin to write a guest post we will do our best to answer that question below.
Autism and evolution
Autism has long captured the attention of researchers, scientists and historians alike.
This interest has led to many questioning if autism is an evolutionary trait.
While the topic, like many on autism, can evoke strong emotions and diverse opinions, some conclusions have been made.
Genetic variability
At the heart of the discussion lies the genetic variation that exists in the human population.
Evolution is driven by the accumulation of genetic diversity, which can lead to the emergence of new traits over time.
From an evolutionary standpoint, the persistence of autism across generations suggests that there might be underlying genetic factors that have been conserved over time.
Some researchers argue that the same genetic variants associated with autism may confer cognitive advantages in other contexts.
These traits could potentially enhance problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and pattern recognition, offering a different perspective on the condition.
Study results
Wading through the online material it is clear that there are many reasons to believe that autism is evolutionary.
Take this study for example.
Published in 2016 it is the most comprehensive of its kind to date. It opens a new approach to understanding both mental/behavioural disorders and mysterious genetic changes.
It shines light on what made human language, culture and civilization possible.
The study looked at data from 2,100 American children with autism to see how many HAR’s there were present.
A HAR is a human accelerated region of the brain.
HAR’s are typically found when comparing humans to our closest evolutionary relative, the chimpanzee.
Although some of the jargon is complicated just remember that a HAR is a key part of evolution.
They found that these children were 6.5 times more likely than healthy siblings to have a non inherited duplication or deletion of a HAR.
In all, they concluded that these mutations within HAR’s contributed to 1-2 percent of the autism cases.
The team also looked at autistic children from 218 Middle Eastern families. Specifically those in which parents were related to each other, usually as first cousins.
The children out of this group with autism had 43 percent more recessive mutations in HAR’s when compared with unaffected children.
In all, the study estimated that 5 percent of these children had recessive mutations in HAR’s.
One of the lead researchers Christopher Walsh had this to say;
“Studying the kinds of mutations in HARs that cause neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorder may tell us about the sorts of changes that led to us having a different brain than other animals. Chimps are social creatures, but they’re different from humans. They don’t live in compact cities of a million people. That requires extraordinary social behavior.”
Neurodiversiry
The concept of neurodiversity underscores the idea that autism is a natural variation of the human brain.
From this perspective, autism is not an anomaly but rather a unique way of experiencing and engaging with the world.
Strong advocates of this viewpoint believe that the diversity of how the brain works, has contributed to the survival and advancement of our species over time.
By embracing neurodiversity, society can better appreciate the range of skills and talents that each individual brings to the table.
What about adaptive traits?
Another angle to consider is the role of adaptive traits in social evolution.
Some researchers propose that certain traits associated with autism, could have been advantageous in the past.
Take for example a common autistic trait such as having heightened sensory sensitivity.
In short picture someone with their senses effectively ‘turned up’.
In ancestral environments, individuals with such traits might have excelled in certain activities.
These could include tracking and gathering resources, which could have contributed to the overall survival of the group.
While modern society places different demands on individuals, acknowledging the historical context provides a more empathetic lens through which to view autism.
Things to consider
It’s important to approach the question of whether autism is evolutionary with sensitivity.
While evolutionary perspectives offer insights, they can be slightly impersonal.
They don’t for example negate the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families.
The condition can lead to significant difficulties in daily life, and the focus on potential adaptive traits should not overshadow the need for support.
Summary – Is autism evolutionary?
In the exploration of whether autism is evolutionary, it becomes evident that it is a very complex question.
Evolution is a multifaceted process shaped by various factors, including genetics, environment, and societal context.
Some people believe that certain traits associated with autism may have offered advantages in history.
It is also important to remember that autism is a diverse spectrum that presents unique challenges and strengths for each individual.
Embracing a sympathetic perspective allows us to appreciate the richness of human neurodiversity.
This is while also fostering a compassionate approach to supporting those affected by autism.
