Although already none doubt that the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) constitute a myriad of clinical syndromes, linked to neurodevelopment, there are still many questions that need be answered. Thus, researchers focus their efforts in genetic disorders that are in the origin of secondary autism, for to know more about primary autism (or idiopathic), whose concrete cause is ignored. Delving into
... [Show full abstract] this, we review here recent findings in the research of such disorders, convinced that there is a primary-secondary autism continuum that rigorous studies in molecular genetics must show. However, there is much pathology with autistic behaviors whose etiology remains still unknown. In this line, aside from books, were selected indexed articles in MEDLINE, published from 2008 to 2015, related to advances in genetic research and diagnosis from autistic spectrum disorder. Like key words were used "autism", and the paired-words combinations of "autism and etiology", "autism and neurodevelopment" and "autism and genetics".