Scientists in Australia have developed a genetic test to predict autism spectrum disorder in children. This might sound like the “breakthrough” that some parents are looking for. Personally, I’ve heard so many different things that are said to be the cause of autism that I have grown jaded. Here is a quick round-up of a few of them. Let’s start with the most recent story. Scientists in Australia used United States data from more than 3,000 people who have autism in a recent study. The scientists identified 237 genetic markers and 146 genes and related cellular pathways. The scientists say … Continue reading →

A new study shows that older fathers are more likely to transmit new DNA variations to their children than younger fathers are. The researchers report that this means that older fathers have a higher risk of having children who have an autism spectrum disorder. There have been several different studies that result in data that indicates that older fathers have a higher chance of having children who have autism than fathers who are younger do. Previous to these studies, it was presumed that the age of the mother was the significant factor in determining the risk of having a child … Continue reading →

A new study finds that children who have older fathers are more likely to be diagnosed with autism, schizophrenia, and other neuropsychiatric or developmental disorders. Researchers found this by studying mice. The genomes of mice and humans are about 85% identical. The study was trying to discover why children who have older fathers are more likely to be diagnosed with autism, schizophrenia, and other disorders. Previous studies have connected autism with the age of the father. A study published in 2006 concluded that children who had fathers that were in their thirties when the child was conceived have a one … Continue reading →