Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition that affects the way people understand and communicate with the world around them. However, with the right support, many children with autism can have fulfilling lives and go on to make a great contribution to society.
Any research that aids our understanding of autism is to be welcomed, but having a child diagnosed with autism can often be a difficult and emotional experience, so it is important that parents get the right information to help them sort through the headlines and understand what any new findings mean for them.
The latest studies focus on tiny genetic changes that could increase the likelihood of someone having autism. This is extremely complex - there are over 100 genes involved and they all interact with each other and other environmental factors. Many more years work lie ahead before we understand enough about genetic links to apply this knowledge to helping people affected by autism.
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