Signs of Autism Found in 6-Month-Olds
Posted by The Baby News
Science Daily reports that scientists have identified signs of autism in babies between 6 and 10 months old, opening the door for earlier and potentially more effective therapy. Currently, autism isn't diagnosed prior to age 2.
The scientists, at the University of London, worked with babies who have an autistic older sibling and are at high risk for developing it themselves (autism often runs in families). The research team attached sensors to the heads of the babies to measure their brainwaves while they showed them videos of people looking at them and looking away from them. The results showed that although these high-risk babies were not yet showing signs of autism in the way they interacted with people, the brains of those who ended up being diagnosed autistic already processed information around social interactions in a different way well before age one.It's the first time that anyone has identified the signs of autism in children so young, and the researchers are guessing that it actually exists from birth, even though it's hard to see before age 2 at the earliest.
Autism affects the way people connect with others and communicate. The research team now plans to refine its methods so it can come up with a routine test for high-risk babies, who can then start therapy even before age one. Therapists say that the earlier treatment starts, the more effective it can be, making the new study good news in the world of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Comments (5)
Donna Love
February 29, 2012
I have a 13 yo son whom has Asperger's Syndrome. I also have two sons in their 30's and ten grandchildren. The grandchildren's mother's want to know what are the chances of their children having Autism? One of my daughter-in-laws says my 4 yo grand-daughter reminds her of my son and wants to know if she might have a form of Autism. How would I check on this for a child her age. Both my son and grand-daughter are very bright, although I know this does not mean they are not within the Autism spectrum.
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Jeanette
February 06, 2012
This sounds like a positive move in the right direction since early "intervention" is highly recommended when autism is present. I am still baffled at exact causes of autism and why it is likely to occur in siblings (making it genetic) yet there are so many cases where autism occurs after immunizations (mercury poisoning) I have 3 children and only my youngest was diagnosed with autism. The more information everyone has the better.
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Jen
February 03, 2012
The article and study don't say anything about genetics. It merely points out that studies on at-risk infants show differences in how they process information much earlier than 2 years old. My daughter is currently involved in a similar study due to my son's autism. It's valuable information that will benefit children with autism in the future. Early intervention is key.
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Gram
February 02, 2012
Unless the family has lived in a different environment with each child it does not prove Autism to be genetic.
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Drew
February 02, 2012
I have three children. The oldest is Autistic and thats the only one. We have had genetic testing done and its not genetic. She is the only special needs person in both mine and my husbands families. Maybe some cases of Autism is genetic but not all. Autism can be caused by enviromental agents.
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