![]() Many of the more common autism risk genes carry much less risk. But not all children with autism carry the fragile-X gene. Roughly a quarter of children with fragile X develop autism. The highest genetic risk for autism is related to fragile X, a rare disorder. It does NOT mean that you baby will certainty develop autism. Importantly, the finding of autism-risk genes indicates predisposition. However, I’ve seen this estimate range up to 30 percent, depending on the study. This will help ensure prompt treatment that reduces or prevents complications.Ĭurrently genetic testing can identify one or more known autism risk genes in around 20 percent of affected individuals. Early identification of these syndromes enables you and your child’s doctor to be on the lookout for related medical problems. ![]() Fragile X and Angelman syndrome are two examples. In addition, some types of autism are caused by genetic conditions that have associated medical problems. We encourage earlier therapy with “at-risk” children because we know that it encourages optimal development. It can likewise encourage earlier intervention should early warning signs appear. So if your older child has autism, there are several potential benefits for testing your younger child.įirst, learning that your baby has genetic risk factors for autism encourages closer monitoring of developmental milestones by you and your child’s physician. For babies with more than one sibling on the autism spectrum, the risk is even higher-nearly 30 percent. We know that younger siblings of children on the spectrum have close to a 20 percent chance of developing ASD. Now, advances in understanding ASD and in genetic technology have greatly improved genetic testing’s usefulness and affordability. We know that genes play a particularly strong role because this overlap is higher between identical twins, who share the same DNA, than with other siblings, who share roughly half their genes.įor many years this was the extent of the guidance that we could provide to families. For example, if one identical twin has autism, there’s a higher chance that the other twin will, too. In recent decades, we’ve learned that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have a strong genetic component. Nationwide Children’s Hospital is one of 17 centers in Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network. This week’s “Got Questions” response is from clinical geneticist Kandamurugu Manickam, M.D., of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio.
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