possible to develope autism in children?

Is it possible that a perfectly healthy child develops autism because of being rased in unusual circumstances?
I have an example of a child. He seemed happy, loved playing with other kids and had started to speak some words.
This kid iss rased at home, doesnt go to playschool and almost never meets other children.
His mother iss overprotective and never lets anyone babysit him or fool around with him. He spends most of his time alone playing or watching tv (of course with lot of warm from his family and always with someone grown up watching him and playing with him...but never kid´s on his age)
To day, he´s two years old and has stopped speaking, doesn´t interact with other kids and is probably autistic.(waiting for final diagnoses)
My question is, is it possible (i know it´s not possible to prove it)that he became autistic because of this strange circumstances or are children always born with this?

Thank you.

[Richard B. Graff, PhD, BCBA-D]

Being raised in "unusual" circumstances can certainly have an impact on a child's behavior.  However, it is important to note that the indivduals and events in any child's environment have the potential to influence behaviors, both appropriate and inappropriate.  For example, parents will provide reinforcement following some behaviors (again, both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors), and this will increase the chances of those behaviors occurring again in the future; in other words, reinforcement strengthens behavior!  So, when a child asks a parent for something, and for the first time includes the word, "please", the parents may praise the child for saying please.  If the praise is a reinforcer for that child, the chances of the child saying "please" in the future increases.  Reinforcement can also strengthen inappropriate behaviors as well. Suppose a child is not receiving attention, and they emit some type of inappropriate behavior, and then the parent attends to the child.  If the attention is a reinforcer, it may increase the odds of the inappropriate behavior occuring in the future!  

So, can raising a child in unusual circumstances influence behavior?  Of course, but so can raising a child in any environment!  Could raising the child in the enviorment you describe above have "caused" his autism?   We don't know what causes autism, but if I had to hazard a guess, I would say probably not, especially since you suggest that his development seemed typical up to a certain point.  Some parents indicate that they knew from a very early age that there was something "different" about their child; others, however, report that their children seemed perfectly normal up to a certain point, and then "regressed".  

Regardless of whether or not he is diagnosed with autism, the most important considerations should be how to move forward, and teach him the skills he needs to know to become as independent as possible as an adult.

Best of luck!

[belladona541]

Dear Dr. Graff,
My 6 years old nephew was diagnosed with autism.
His mother gives him numerious supplements ( 17 all together ) a day and firmly believes that by doing it she could cure him.
This child attends a special kindegarten for autistic children for the last two years and once a week he attends a developemental centre for children with Dawn syndrome.
This child could speak some words and understand meaning of commands but has no speech as such.
He could tell what is on the picture ( eg. house, car ) when we show it to him, could say: red ball, go, up, could count from 1 to 10.
He eats the same food every day since he was 2 years old and refuses to try something new.  My sister sit him in a high chair to eat and do not let him go untill he finishes foot.  It takes up to 1-2hours.
When in kindergarten he sits with other kids around normal table.
This boy is hyperactive at times and seems not interested in adults or chldren.  Yet, he plays with me, asking me to hug me and to kiss me and is doing a lot of physical movements ( like crawling towards my legs when I am sitting ), jumping from my lap ( etc ).
Questions: do you belive that numerious supplements could cure such child?
Do you agree with his mother to fit him in high chair for 1-2 hours daily when he is at home?
Do you think it is wise to take him to the developement centre with children suffering with Dawn syndrome?
My sister said he has high IQ ( she didn't tell the score ).
Do you belive that a child, who is almost not verbal could have high IQ?
Sorry for the long list of questions.
I would really appreciate your answers.

[belladona541]

Dear Dr. Graff,
My 6 years old nephew was diagnosed with autism.
His mother gives him numerious supplements ( 17 all together ) a day and firmly believes that by doing it she could cure him.
This child attends a special kindegarten for autistic children for the last two years and once a week he attends a developemental centre for children with Dawn syndrome.
This child could speak some words and understand meaning of commands but has no speech as such.
He could tell what is on the picture ( eg. house, car ) when we show it to him, could say: red ball, go, up, could count from 1 to 10.
He eats the same food every day since he was 2 years old and refuses to try something new.  My sister sit him in a high chair to eat and do not let him go untill he finishes foot.  It takes up to 1-2hours.
When in kindergarten he sits with other kids around normal table.
This boy is hyperactive at times and seems not interested in adults or chldren.  Yet, he plays with me, asking me to hug me and to kiss me and is doing a lot of physical movements ( like crawling towards my legs when I am sitting ), jumping from my lap ( etc ).
Questions: do you belive that numerious supplements could cure such child?
Do you agree with his mother to fit him in high chair for 1-2 hours daily when he is at home?
Do you think it is wise to take him to the developement centre with children suffering with Dawn syndrome?
My sister said he has high IQ ( she didn't tell the score ).
Do you belive that a child, who is almost not verbal could have high IQ?
Sorry for the long list of questions.
I would really appreciate your answers.