Can abnormal brain evoked potentials in children cause autism?

Under normal circumstances, abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials in children's brain evoked potential tests do not directly cause autism. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials reflect functional status of neural conduction pathways, whereas autism arises from multiple complex factors including genetics, neurodevelopment, and environment. There is no direct causal relationship between the two conditions. The former merely suggests possible abnormalities in somatosensory signal transmission, manifested as changes in neural response speed or intensity. In contrast, the core features of autism—such as social communication difficulties and repetitive, stereotyped behaviors—originate from coordinated abnormalities across multiple brain systems during development, rather than being caused by a single neural conduction problem.

In daily life, it is important to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for children, engage in frequent interactive communication, and encourage participation in group activities to promote social skill development. Maintain regular routines for sleep and diet, ensure balanced nutrition, and support healthy neurodevelopment. For children with abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials, targeted training under professional guidance may help improve neural conduction function. Closely monitor the child’s behavior and emotional changes, communicate regularly to understand their needs, and seek timely professional intervention if any abnormalities arise, thereby providing comprehensive support for healthy development.