[mrangle]

Autism is definitely not inherited?

Autism being "too broad" is why it doesn't have a genetic cause?

Autism's nomenclature not being descriptive enough is why it doesn't have a genetic cause?

Autism not being as debilitating as DS is why it doesn't have a genetic cause? (developmental logic aside, are you familiar with Type 2 and Type 3 autistic individuals?).

Extra dings for not for over-use of CS analogy, "unwarranted fixation", and "we no longer live in the world".

[jfyi]

We know for a fact that there are genetic markers for autism.

Analogies aside, they were arguing it is a mix of genetic and epigenetic factors and that, generally, we only pay attention to the genetics.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics_of_autism

I think the real problem here is this can potentially be a politically heated take. I don't believe it is in this case, or they were making an effort to not make it so. Of course, that is just my reading of it.

[jabowery]

In identical twins, autism and homosexuality both have about the same rate of non-occurrence between the twins: 50%. This means, of course, that autists and gays are "born, not made" by the environment. Move along. Nothing to see here.

[astrange]

"Inherited" and "genetic" are not the same thing. Or rather, "genetic" vs "environment" are not two separate causes for things.