What causes autism? As far as we know in 2013, there is no single

Hear the words of Thomas R. Insel, physician and scientist, who declared with honesty and humility: “What causes autism? As far as we know in 2013, there is no single gene or single environmental factor that accounts for the more than 1 million Americans with ASDs.” These words, though spoken in the language of science, carry the weight of ancient wisdom: that the mysteries of life are not easily solved, and that humility in the face of complexity is itself a form of truth.

For men often hunger for simple answers. They seek one cause, one cure, one enemy to blame. But the reality of autism spectrum disorders is vast and varied, stretching across countless lives, families, and stories. Insel’s words remind us that there is no single gene, no single environmental factor that unlocks the mystery. Rather, autism is a mosaic, born of many influences—genetic, biological, and environmental—woven together in ways still beyond the reach of human certainty.

History has shown us this pattern before. In ages past, diseases such as scurvy or plague were thought to be caused by demons, curses, or single corrupt airs. Only later did men learn that many forces—diet, germs, environment—conspired together to bring illness or health. So too with autism: it is not the mark of a lone cause, but the outcome of a web of influences that we are only beginning to see. The humility of Insel’s statement reflects the ancient virtue of the wise physician, who admits the limits of knowledge even while laboring to expand it.

Consider the story of the parents who, in earlier generations, were wrongly blamed for their child’s condition. Cold mothers were accused, unfeeling homes were suspected—“refrigerator mothers,” they were cruelly called. These false certainties brought shame and sorrow, yet they were born of the same hunger for a single answer. Insel’s words free us from such errors by declaring openly: there is no single cause. In this, he calls for compassion and patience, reminding us that blame is never the path to healing.

And so we are left with the truth that science is a journey, not a destination. In 2013, Insel confessed what was known—and more importantly, what was not. His humility echoes that of explorers who admit the sea is vast, or of astronomers who declare that the heavens hold mysteries still unseen. True wisdom does not pretend to finality where none exists. Instead, it directs the mind toward perseverance, research, and collaboration, knowing that one day, with persistence, clarity will come.

The lesson here is profound: when faced with great mysteries, whether of body, mind, or spirit, do not demand simplicity where none can exist. Accept the complexity of life, and labor with patience. Extend compassion to those who live with autism, to their families and communities. Support research not because answers are quick, but because answers must be sought with diligence and humility. Above all, resist the temptation to blame or reduce, for such paths lead only to cruelty.

Therefore, in your own life, learn from Insel’s wisdom. When confronted with what you do not understand—whether in science, in society, or in the soul—admit the limits of your knowledge, but do not cease in your striving. Offer patience where others offer judgment. Offer compassion where others offer blame. And above all, honor the dignity of those whose lives unfold along different paths, for they too reflect the boundless mystery of creation.

So let the words of Thomas R. Insel echo across the generations: the truth is complex, and humility is the beginning of wisdom. The causes of autism are many, the journey to understanding is long, but with compassion, diligence, and patience, the day will come when the mystery is illuminated, and humanity will be wiser for having borne it together.