Conflicting theories about what causes autism are explored in this video segment from 'Greater Boston.' Scientists still don't have an answer, and while many focus on genetics, some suspect that the environment may also play a role. Mark Blaxill, whose daughter Michaela is autistic, explains why he thinks the disorder is triggered by environmental factors. Dr. Martha Herbert, who studies the brains of autistic children, says that toxins like metals, pesticides, and PCBs have all come under suspicion. But other scientists, like Dr. David Miller, say the key to autism lies in a person's genes. Includes background essay and discussion questions. [3:31]
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- Knovation Readability Score: 3 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)
- The intended use for this resource is Instructional
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