[BrandyHagz]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- In the most extensive findings to date on the genetics of autism, scientists have pinpointed two new genetic links that may predispose children to develop the complex brain disorder.

The five-year study, led by an international consortium of researchers from 19 nations, indicated autism had numerous genetic origins rather than a single or a few primary causes. [[More]]

[crick]

bumping.....this is interesting info!

[momraine]

This makes sense to me. I remember when a friend was insisting it was the vaccinations, however, I can trace my son's issues to his grandfather and to others in the family, many of whom had these problems long before the vaccines were around. I also have a friend who adopted a child who was severly autistic, but she adopted the child from an orphanage in a third world country and the child had the problems before recieving any vaccines.
I also get tired of people saying that the parents did something wrong.

[ranoutofnames]

I tried to open the article and it has closed at the provided link. Anyone know where I might find it? I have a fd were are going to adopt. Her four siblings all have varying types of autism so there seems to be a strong genetic link.

All of her siblings seemed to be ok until right around 2yrs old it started becoming noticeable they weren't developing like other children. My fd is currently 1yrs old and not showing any signs that I can recognize. Her pediatrician also doesn't have any current worries.

Anyone out there still who might have had your autistic child from a young age? Is there anything now looking back that you now know was an early sign?

[BrandyHagz]

My autistic son is biological.

The 2 year mark is standard - prior to that, its pretty impossible to diagnose.

[Excelmom]

Thanks for the info Brandy!

My bio son is on the spectrum too, he has Asperger's Disorder. I too am not surprised at all with the genetic findings and from all I have been reading on Cure Autism Now's website, it seems this is what much of the research is showing. We have "aspy" tendencies all over our families. Sam too started showing some tendencies before two, but developmentally it is a challenge to get a true diagnosis before two. There is a website for First Signs which has great info on developmental milestones, a good tool to look at if you have concerns about your childs developement.

Thanks again!