Sheila
As a speech path. working with young autistic kids in their homes i am inclinded to believe it is genetic. I have heard and seen some charactistics in one parent that makes me feel there is some genetic component.This may not necessarily mean anything but i have noticed that the parent that the child most resembles usually did some or still does some "quirky" things as children and as adults. At any rate, it sure would be nice if researchers could figure this thing out!