Identical twins have identical genes, but sometimes only one may have autism. What affects the way our genes function?
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Pregnancy and birth
The different subtypes of autism became a hot topic of discussion in 2017. What did autism researchers learn? Read the Autism Science Foundation's year in review.
Researchers have identified an unusual risk for a child developing autism: his mother’s diabetes. Several studies found that pregnant women with diabetes – including the temporary kind – had a higher risk of delivering a child with autism than mothers who weren't diabetic.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld stepped into a minefield when he diagnosed himself as being on the autism spectrum – "on a very drawn out scale." He complained of problems with social engagement and understanding figures of speech. Were these faint whispers of autism he described similar to the Broad Autism Phenotype?
The Interactive Autism Network (IAN) has a major survey on the pregnancy and birth experiences of mothers with children on the autism spectrum.
Are there factors associated with pregnancy or birth that increase a child's risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder?
Teresa Foden
IAN Assistant Editor
Connie Anderson, Ph.D.
IAN Community Scientific Liaison