Autism is Genetic

Just want to a fascinating CME last week and Head from world expert in autism, John Constantino about some new discoveries about the genetics of Autism. They suspect that there are genes that turn on and off the "messenging" functions of the brain that allow different parts of the brain to communicate with each other. These genes can run in families and can be expressed at different levels manifesting in different "phenotypes" or "outward appearences" in children. Of course this raises still more questions than answers but it does emphasize the importance of early diagonosis for us pediatricians as well as give hope for possibilities of treatments in the future. Many children with autism have other comorbid features that inhibit the way that they function in school, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Attention deficit disorder, and still others. So we want to be sure these kids are functioning in school at their best, and that they are maximizing their ability to learn. Warmest Regards for you and your family, Dr Hodge