Thread

1. profsummergig · 1789598299 · focus · HN ↗

   So many misconceptions in this writeup.

   Here's one: even if it were genetic, there could be triggering environmental factors that trigger the onset of autism (I'm just giving a hypothetical example, not making a claim here).

   1. strideashort · 1789625211 · focus · HN ↗

      Not onset, that makes no sense.

      Environment makes certain traits visible - eg noise and smell sensory issues, even social settings. Put me in a forest and i will be indistinguishable from a neuro-prevalent - no social pressure, no noise, no smells. Actually the neuro-prevalent might be suffering for the lack of those i suppose

      1. strken · 1789626030 · focus · HN ↗

         Schizophrenia is known to have genetic factors that can increase its likelihood, but is also linked to environmental factors like cannabis use and stress. The group without the environmental factors has a lower incidence of schizophrenia, so it's generally believed that the onset of schizophrenia is triggered by them.

         Male homosexuality is believed to have a small genetic component but is also linked to birth order. One theory is that in utero testosterone from older brothers can affect the sexuality of a younger brother.

         I disagree that it makes no sense for environmental factors to lead to the onset of autism, on the basis that environmental factors can make someone gay or schizophrenic. That is to say, they can influence a personality and a mind in complicated ways that don't seem intuitive.

         1. strideashort · 1789650955 · focus · HN ↗

            Well how do you detect autism if it’s traits never show?

            It’s a bit loke saying fish don’t develop aquism unless they are facing non-acquatic environment. Kinda crude comparison but you get then idea.

            1. strken · 1789659018 · focus · HN ↗

               If you have 100k people who don't smoke cannabis and 100k who do, 1000 of the non-smokers and 1400 of the smokers will have schizophrenia.

               How do you detect schizophrenia in the 400 people in the non-smoker category? The answer is that you can't. They don't have schizophrenia. This is what it means for something to have an environmental trigger.

               I get that you're making a point about ableism and environment, but in order to do so you're confusing two things: the onset of autism (at a very early age or even before birth and triggered by who knows what), and the occurrence of any specific symptom of autism (at any age and triggered by things we generally understand).

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.