When we know what causes a disorder, prevention is straightforward. While researchers are hard at work to outline exactly what causes autism, the answers aren't clear. We can't say exactly why the disorder appears in some children while passing others by. Despite this, researchers have informed opinions about what might raise or lower risk. Researchers say autism has a genetic component, but genetics alone can't account for all autism cases. Older parents, difficult births, medication or drug use during pregnancy, and environmental toxin exposure during pregnancy could enhance a child's risk of developing autism.