OCTOBER 2025

Understanding What Causes Autism: Insights from an ABA Clinician Supporting Families in Texas

By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA

4 minute read


As a clinician that has spent my career working with children on the autism spectrum, I am frequently asked what causes autism.  When answering this, I am clear that there is a lot we do not know yet but I always point families to what the current research is showing.  We know that there is a strong genetic component to autism, as having one child on the spectrum increases the likelihood that a sibling is also diagnosed with autism.  Additionally, boys have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with autism than girls. 

 

However, we also know that there are environmental factors that can contribute to an autism diagnosis.  Some of the more researched environmental factors are advanced parental age, prematurity and birth complications where babies are deprived of oxygen.  We have also learned that for the vast majority of people worldwide, vaccines are safe and effective.  There are some studies that found a link between acetaminophen use and autism and just as many studies that found no link between the two.  The tricky part is that we don’t currently know every environmental factor associated with autism.  To make matters more complicated, autism is a complex disorder that presents differently in every person diagnosed, which suggests that one person’s environmental trigger may not be another’s. 

 

I long for the day that we have answers for all these questions, because then we can have better prevention, intervention and treatments.  I am glad that, as a country, we are having these conversations so that we can increase funding and awareness for autism research and support.  These conversations are long overdue.  Lastly, while we don’t have all the answers for a cause, we know that once a child is diagnosed, early intervention and support is critical to help children thrive.  It is my life’s calling to help families and children get the support they need through ABA therapy.  All for One Therapy exists to give children and families impacted by autism helping hands for their journey. 

Comprendiendo las Causas del Autismo: Perspectiva de una Especialista en ABA que Apoya a Familias en Texas

By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA

Lectura de 4 minutos


Como especialista que ha dedicado su carrera a trabajar con niños dentro del espectro autista, a menudo me preguntan qué causa el autismo. Cuando respondo, siempre soy clara en que aún hay mucho que no sabemos. Sin embargo, guío a las familias hacia lo que nos dice la investigación más reciente. Sabemos que hay un fuerte componente genético: tener un hijo dentro del espectro aumenta la probabilidad de que un hermano también reciba el diagnóstico. Además, los niños tienen más probabilidades de ser diagnosticados con autismo que las niñas.

También sabemos que existen factores ambientales que pueden contribuir a un diagnóstico de autismo. Algunos de los factores más estudiados incluyen la edad avanzada de los padres, la prematurez y las complicaciones durante el parto, especialmente cuando el bebé experimenta una falta de oxígeno.

Hemos aprendido que, para la gran mayoría de las personas en el mundo, las vacunas son seguras y efectivas. Hay estudios que han encontrado un posible vínculo entre el uso de acetaminofén y el autismo, pero también existen muchos otros estudios que no encontraron ninguna relación. La realidad es que todavía no conocemos todos los factores ambientales asociados con el autismo.

Para complicar aún más las cosas, el autismo es un trastorno complejo que se manifiesta de manera diferente en cada persona diagnosticada, lo que sugiere que el factor que afecta a un niño podría no tener ningún efecto en otro.

Anhelo el día en que tengamos respuestas claras a todas estas preguntas, porque así podremos ofrecer mejores métodos de prevención, intervención y tratamiento. Me alegra que, como país, estemos teniendo estas conversaciones para aumentar los fondos y la conciencia en torno a la investigación y el apoyo al autismo. Estas conversaciones ya hacían falta.

Por último, aunque no tengamos todas las respuestas sobre las causas, sí sabemos que una vez que un niño recibe el diagnóstico, la intervención temprana y el apoyo adecuado son fundamentales para que pueda desarrollarse plenamente.

Es mi vocación ayudar a las familias y a los niños a obtener el apoyo que necesitan a través de la terapia ABA. All for One Therapy existe para ofrecer una mano amiga a los niños y familias impactados por el autismo en su camino hacia una mejor calidad de vida.

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SEPTEMBER 2025

By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA • September 25, 2025
Helping Kids with Autism Navigate Change: Why Routines and Transitions Matter By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA 3 minute read Transitions can be hard. If you're parenting a child with autism, I know you see this every day. Switching from playtime to dinner, going from home to school, and even turning off the tablet can lead to a burst of anger you did not mean to provoke. I want you to know that for many children on the spectrum, any type of transition can be a trigger for outbursts and tantrums. At All For One Therapy, we work with families every day who face these moments. While we can never predict what new transitions will cause stress in our lives, we can do a couple of things to reduce stress for the predictable everyday transitions our little ones may face.  As a BCBA and mom to three kids, I’ve learned over the years the comfort that structure and routine brings, not just for children on the spectrum, but for all of us. When a child knows what’s coming next, they feel safe. Since autism affects the ability to communicate vocally for some children, we may use visuals to help them know what’s next. A visual schedule where you can point to what is next in the day, helps increase cooperation for many children. Visual timers also help children know how much time is left before an activity is over. Amazon has many visual timers but a simple search of “visual timer” on YouTube gives you a huge variety of fun visuals to work with. If your child is more tactile or sensory seeking, letting them hold a preferred object or a sensory toy may provide the stress relief needed to make it through the next transition. It may be beneficial to have a bag in your car with a few sensory toys that you can save for those extra tough transitions. Lastly, remember the power of your community. However you decide to help your child with transitions, share your plan with your family and those that make up your village. The more consistency across people in a child’s life, the more successful they will be. At All for One Therapy, we’re here to walk with parents, not just through sessions, but through the moments in between. If your child struggles with change, know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. With the right support, even the toughest transitions can become smoother.