I just saw some stories about new discoveries in what may cause or contribute to autism. These new studies are finding genetic links to autism — indications are that damaged or deformed genes might lead to autism.
I really don’t understand the science involved, and the news reports I read aren’t all that clear to me, either. But I do know these developments offer hope of earlier diagnosis of autism, and they probably relieve a lot of the guilt many parents suffer when they have an autistic child. Some mothers, according to these reports, blame themselves for an autistic child, fearing something they did during pregnancy led to autism in their child. Other parents are alarmed about so-called links between vaccinations and autism — which have been affirmed by some and denied by many others.
Let’s all hope for good things. Perhaps this groundbreaking research will lead to some good treatments and/or prevention of autism. That would lead to a lot of happy families and kids, I’m sure.
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