Found cause of our son's autism!

[Guest guest]

Hi

After 27 years, a " newer " chromosome test (array CGH) finally identified our

son's cause of autism. He has " Phelan Mcdermid Syndrome " (Check out 22q13.org).

Even though our son had NONE of the physical characteristics of this disorder

(i.e. deformed ears, droopy eyelids), he has most of the autistic

characteristics of this disorder.

Have any of you ever heard of this disorder? I'm VERY supportive of DAN

doctors, but I'm surprised that no DAN doctor has ever suggested more chromosome

testing for our son. I still firmly believe that environmental factors are a

significant part of our son's challenges, but we think defining the " genetic

predisposition " concerning his autism is crucial too.

If anyone on this list has more info on this disorder, we'd love to hear from

them. We have so many new questions now! For example...In the various Phelan

Mcdermid literature it says that no special diet will help these kids and yet

our son improved greatly in all areas when we started the GFCF diet back when he

was 4 years old. (And he still does better even now on the GFCF diet). Why would

the diet help this chromosome deletion?

Dorothy