Can environmental toxicants be linked to disabilities such as autism and ADHD?
This question requires additional attention to the explanation of traits vs. syndromes. Audiences not infrequently confuse the two because the developmental disorders they have experience with are commonly grouped under clinical syndromes comprising disabilities such as autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) etc. However, researchers conducting tests on the possible effects of environmental toxicants on humans (toxicants such as lead, mercury, PCBs, pesticides), look for effects on specific behavioral and cognitive “traits” that make up clinical syndromes. The traits might include memory problems, executive function impairment, inattentiveness, learning deficits, speech problems, or aggressive behavior. Scientific evidence allows us to link traits to environmental toxicants, but may not directly link these same toxicants to the syndromes. The distinction between traits and syndromes and the conclusions we draw about traits are a critical point of understanding within t
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- Can environmental toxicants be linked to disabilities such as autism and ADHD?
