$25 Million Study to Identify Biological Markers for Treating Children With Autism

A four-year study across fives sites in the US hopes to identify biological markers that may help diagnose and treat autism disorder in children.

Autism prevails to be the most common disorder than many other genetically occurring disorders. It is a neuro-developmental disorder that affects children in the first two years of their life. Its symptoms are impaired social interaction, restricted and repeated behaviors.

A $25 million study on finding biomarkers that will help diagnose, track and treat the autism disorder will be conducted by the researchers at the University of Washington. The researchers are currently recruiting children with autism as a part of four-year study in Seattle.

Shifting Patterns of Autism Diagnosis Has Led to the Rise in Autism Cases in US
This is the first direct evidence that much of the increase may be attributable merely to a reclassification of individuals with related neurological disorders.

Researchers will study children of two age groups ie, ages 3-5 and 6-11 both with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder. Finally the results will be compared based on the social impairment and social function between both the groups.

The symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder are deficits in social interaction, difficulties in communication, sensory issues and cognitive delays.

In the recent estimation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's it was reported that 1 in 68 children are identified with autism spectrum disorder - which is 120% higher than the estimate in 2002 (1 in 150 children).

Kids With Autism Have Atleast One Gastrointestinal Problem
Children with autism below the age of three, experience atleast one gastrointestinal discomfort, compared to a typical child, reveals a study.

Source-Medindia

Parental Age Associated With Risk of Developing Autism Spectrum Disorder
Children born to older parents, teenage mothers and whose parents have a large gap between their ages are at an increased risk of developing ASD.

�Autism Initiatives� Offers Support for Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ireland-based organization caters help for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder to develop necessary life skills that they need to live independently.