New study suggests a 3-stage cause of Autism/ADHD development

A scientist in the USA has proposed a new model or theory on the development and progression of Autism in a recent published study.
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While autism has been studied for a century, no single cause to autism has been found. The operative word here is “single”, as almost all published studies and research into Autism and related conditions, including ADHD, are only trying to find if ONE factor is a cause to Autism. But the studies almost always don’t find that one link is a cause in the majority of people, then the studies conclude that the one factor isn’t related to Autism, and this becomes a public belief. And that possible cause becomes forgotten.

As a result, Autism is believed by many to just be genetic, as a default fallback explanation, as there seems to be no other proven reason.

But like other symptoms and conditions or diagnoses, there is always more than one root cause or factor in contributing to the development and progression of health conditions. But it is very difficult to prove using scientific principles in published studies that more than one factor, or a combination of factors, are the causes of something like autism.

In this very recent (January 2026) new study, the author suggests that there’s a 3-stage or a “3-hit” model for the development of autism in children (Naviaux, 2025), being:

1. A genetic predisposition – as while there are hundreds of genes linked to Autism, not all children who have these genes will actually develop Autism. Hence it’s not just genetic. These genetic traits make them more susceptible and sensitive to environmental triggers, including a hypersensitivity to stress.
2. Environmental triggers – environmental factors are known to cause health issues and to also trigger genetic issues through the concept of epigenetics. Such environmental factors include pollution and toxicity, metabolic issues and other stressors.
3. Chronic exposure and hypersensitivity to stresses and other environmental factors, including toxicities, which diverts a child’s necessary brain development instead toward having to deal with the chronic stresses and other environmental toxicities.

One of the claims in this study is that up to half of autism/ADHD cases can be reduced or even prevented from supporting the mother prior to and during pregnancy, and supporting the baby in early childhood. The author of the study says “Autism is not the inevitable result of any one gene or exposure, but the outcome of a series of biological interactions, many of which can be modified”.

It might be controversial to some people that autism/ADHD can be prevented, but if we do know what the environmental triggers or toxicities are, we can reduce exposure or even eliminate those triggers, which can in turn reduce or prevent the autism/ADHD symptoms! And we DO know what those environmental triggers and toxicities are! That’s what I look for in my consultations and investigations in children or adults with autism/ADHD.

For more information on how I can help with Autism conditions or ADHD, please check out the rest of my website or use the Bookings link to book a consultation!

Stay healthy!
 
References:
Naviaux, R.K. (2026). A 3-hit metabolic signaling model for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Mitochondrion, 87:102096. DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2025.102096