Autism Is Genetic. Our Environment Is Pouring Gasoline on It.

Autism Is Genetic. Our Environment Is Pouring Gasoline on It.

I’m autistic. I’m a mom. I’m a strategist. I also read my own genome like some people read the Sunday paper.

So let’s get something straight from the jump:

Autism is not caused by food dyes, vaccines, or too much screen time.

It is genetic.

And not in a “one gene = one condition” kind of way.

In my case, I carry variants in DRD5 and PIDD1—both of which are associated with increased risk for ADHD, autism, and schizophrenia-related traits. And I’m far from alone.

Autism is polygenic—meaning dozens, if not hundreds, of genes contribute to the wiring that makes an autistic brain what it is. It’s a complex symphony of:

• Synaptic timing
• Neurodevelopmental sequencing
• Sensory gating
• Executive function regulation
• Motor planning
• Immune system nuance
• Hormonal feedback loops

In other words: autistic people are born, not made.

But here’s where the conversation gets real—and uncomfortable.

Our environment doesn’t cause autism.

But it sure as hell amplifies it.

The Gene–Environment Pile-On

If autism is a spark wired into your DNA, modern life is the gasoline. And that matters—especially for kids today.

What we’re seeing isn’t a rise in autism as a condition.

We’re seeing a rise in triggered symptoms, worsened expression, and earlier onset—driven by what we put in and on our bodies every day.

Let’s walk through what the data shows:

1. 

Food Additives Fueling Fire

Many autistic people already struggle with:

• Sensory overwhelm
• Gut inflammation
• Neurotransmitter imbalance
• Immune sensitivity

Now add in:

• Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1 – linked to hyperactivity and DNA damage
• Sucralose + Acesulfame K – disrupt gut microbiota and dopamine response
• BHT, TBHQ – mess with endocrine function and increase oxidative stress
• Phosphates – impair calcium absorption and kidney health

These additives don’t just exist in one snack—they’re everywhere. Cereal, hydration drinks, lunchbox treats, sauces, frozen meals.

And for neurodivergent kids already managing heightened internal chaos? These chemicals turn the dial to 11.

2. 

Gut-Brain Axis Breakdown

80% of serotonin is made in the gut.

The vagus nerve connects your digestive tract to your brain.

The microbiome regulates inflammation, mood, and cognition.

And we are obliterating it with:

• Preservatives
• Emulsifiers
• Glyphosate-laced grains
• Artificial sweeteners
• Repeated antibiotics and acetaminophen

Autistic people are statistically more likely to have gastrointestinal issues—and those gut issues feed back into behavior, mood, and focus. This isn’t woo. It’s well-documented science.

3. 

Mitochondrial & Immune Dysfunction

Many autistic individuals experience mitochondrial stress—cells that struggle to produce energy efficiently.

Add in immune overactivation (which many of us carry in our genes), and the result is:

• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Crashes after stimulus
• Immune responses that feel like meltdowns

This isn’t a parenting failure. It’s a biological system overwhelmed by inputs it wasn’t built to process.

This Isn’t “Blame the Food.”

This is “Support the Brain.”

I’m not interested in debating whether autism is a disorder or a gift. I’m here to tell you that when you understand the genetic load someone is carrying, you owe it to them to reduce the environmental burden.

Support looks like cutting additives—not cutting joy.

Support looks like checking ingredients—not labeling people broken.

Support looks like asking: what if the meltdowns, brain fog, and sensory spirals aren’t just autism? What if they’re autism + inflammation?

I’m not here to cure myself or my children. I’m here to help us thrive with the wiring we were born with.

What You Can Do:

• Start scanning your food. (Yuka app. Free. Simple. No BS.)
• Swap one thing at a time. Start with cereal. Then snacks. Then drinks.
• Track patterns. See what improves when you remove additives.
• Read the science. Don’t wait for government regulation—they’re decades behind.
• Trust your gut (and your kid’s). If something feels off, it probably is.

Autism is genetic.

But how it shows up—and how painful or beautiful or exhausting it feels—depends heavily on the environment we live in.

You can’t change your child’s genes.

But you can absolutely change the world you raise them in.

And honestly? That might be the most neurodiversity-affirming thing you’ll ever do.