The Origins of Autism

Abstract

The neurobiological and naturally selective roots of autism revolve around the testosterone effect, the extreme male brain theory and various post-hoc hypotheses that state the advantages of neurodivergence in the ancestral plain. Then reverting to a modern-day context, testosterone and lower-functioning autism cases are on the decline, however, neurodivergence as a whole is on the increase. Papers on the inbreeding of hominid ancestors explain the overlap of neurodivergent genes such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism. Then it comes to an ultimatum that without the inhibition of testosterone, autism returns to its naturally selective roots in an information-based, individualistic society and shows that we as a society must become far more educated and understanding of neurodivergence as it will continue to become increasingly common as we are all integrated into the spectrum.