CLAIM: Autism spectrum disorder has a complex, multifactorial origin. A viral Instagram post claims Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) “may begin before pregnancy,” citing paternal age and sperm genetic changes as factors “associated with higher likelihood”, while noting association isn’t causation. 

FACT: Studies show that advanced parental age, including that of fathers, mothers and even grandparents, is linked to a somewhat higher likelihood of autism in children, though the increase remains modest. Researchers stress these are statistical associations, not proof of cause. Doctors add that autism has multiple contributing factors, and no single one, including paternal age or sperm changes, can predict or explain a diagnosis on its own. 

An Instagram post claims that autism may begin before pregnancy and suggests that paternal factors may be involved.

The caption states, “Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a complex origin involving multiple genetic and developmental factors.” It notes that some studies investigate whether paternal age and certain genetic changes that can appear in sperm are associated with a higher likelihood of ASD.

“But there’s something important: this doesn’t mean the father ’causes’ autism,” the post states. It adds that a statistical association does not prove a direct cause and that many factors are still being investigated.

“Brain development begins long before birth and is influenced by a complex combination of genetics and environment,” the caption states.

The post has more than 7,600 likes, over 600 comments and about 700 reposts. It is uploaded by the Instagram account discovering_biology_, which has more than 92,000 followers.

What have the studies found?

A research published in JAMA Network Open in 2020 studied over 1.4 million children born in Denmark between 1990 and 2013 and found that when fathers or mothers were older, the risk of autism in their children was somewhat higher. 

The study also looked further back at grandparents, finding that children had a higher risk of ASD when their grandparents were very young or, in some cases, older when their parents were born. The researchers wrote that these findings “suggest that the risk of ASD associated with young or advanced grandparental age might be transmitted across generations.” They added that this possibility “should be considered in future research into the causes of ASD.”

A study published in Scientific Reports in 2025 looked at data from 2000 to 2024, focusing on factors such as maternal age, hormone levels and fertility rates, finding that as maternal age went up, autism prevalence also tended to rise. 

However, the researchers were careful to note the limits of their findings. They wrote that the results “highlight potential statistical associations but do not establish causality.” They added that “further research is necessary to validate these associations and explore underlying biological mechanisms.” 

What are experts saying?

Dr Bobby Sadawarti, consultant paediatrician, neonatologist, lactation expert and allergist at AIMS Hospital, Dombivli, said that while advanced paternal age has been linked to a higher likelihood of autism, “the absolute increase in risk remains small.” 

 “An association does not mean that older paternal age directly causes autism,” he said, advising families not to draw conclusions from such posts on their own. “It is better to discuss this with the doctor instead of getting stressed or anxious,” he said. 

Dr Sadawarti explained that autism has no single origin. “Autism spectrum disorder is linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, rather than a single cause,” he said, listing family history, certain genetic conditions, older parental age, and pregnancy or birth-related factors as possible contributors. 

Dr Jagdish Kathwate, consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, offered a similar view, saying that paternal age should not be treated as a determining factor. 

“Paternal age should be viewed as one possible risk marker rather than a standalone cause,” he said, adding that “most children born to older fathers do not develop autism.” 

Speaking on genetic testing and sperm related claims, he said the science does not yet allow for prediction. “There is no single sperm abnormality that can currently be used to identify or predict autism,” he said. 

He pointed out that autism has many possible contributing factors but stressed that no single one, on its own, seals a diagnosis. 

Also read: Is autism a disease that can be cured? Experts bust 5 common myths