Autism genetic link has implications
MSNBC is reporting that “Harvard researchers have discovered half a dozen new genes involved in autism that suggest the disorder strikes in a brain that can’t properly form new connections;” news that has far reaching implications for both the diagnosis and treatment of all the disorders on the autism spectrum.
First and foremost, there are the implications involving treatment and what I have been saying for some time, that ABA intensive intervention therapy, while very helpful for many children, does not work for all children with autism. Now, we are beginning to see why some benefit more than others?
Secondly, the genetic link gives credence to those who support the notion of neuro-diversity, that some babies brains are wired differently or change in infancy or early childhood, possibly for the reasons explained in these findings.
As many of my regular readers know, my son has Aspergers. He was forty-three today, July 11th, 2008. I am sure that other parents who read this will understand exactly what I mean when I say, that while the genetic links may not be the whole answer, they are a part of the answer we have long been waiting to hear.
Read also this source from the Times Online.
H/T a regular reader.
