New Autism Research

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A Multisite Study of the Clinical Diagnosis of Different Autism Spectrum DisordersA study published online November 7 in Archives of General Psychiatry by authors from a consortia of universities examined the relationships between presenting behaviors and clinical diagnosis of children aged 4-18 related to autism across 12 university-based autism service providers. Authors found wide variability in the criteria health professionals used to determine whether a child should be diagnosed with autism, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, or Asperger syndrome. Authors report the second most important predictor of which diagnosis made by a clinician was where they worked, rather than any characteristic of the child. (free abstract, full text access at a fee)http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/archgenpsychiatry.2011.148Facial Phenotypes in Subgroups of Pre-Pubertal Boys With Autism Spectrum Disorders are Correlated With Clinical PhenotypesA study published online October 14 in Molecular Autism by researchers affiliated with the University of Missouri used three dimensional cranial mapping software to compare facial characteristics of boys aged 8-12 with and without autism diagnoses. Authors report that the boys with ASD displayed a facial phenotype distinct from that of typically developing boys, which may reflect alterations in the prenatal development of the brain. Subgroups of boys with ASD defined by distinct facial morphologies were also correlated with clinical and behavioural traits, suggesting potentially different etiologies and genetic differences compared to the larger group of boys with ASD. (full text available at no cost)http://www.molecularautism.com/content/2/1/15/abstract "Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way." -Abraham Lincoln