Tag: epidemiology

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What does an expert say about the risk of autism after infections?

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This week we talk to Dr. Renee Gardner from the Karolinska Institute who utilizes large datasets to understand the link between pregnancy exposures and later diagnoses in children – including the diagnosis of autism. She has identified several rare infections during pregnancy that have a strong link to an autism diagnosis in children. Much like “rare” and “common” genetic variations, there is likely to be “rare” and “common” environmental exposures that have different influences on an autism diagnosis. What does this mean for pregnant women? The same as anything a good doctor would tell you: wash your hands, stay away from sick people, and try not to share food with your sick child.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2853867

https://ki.se/en/research/research-areas-centres-and-networks/research-groups/epidemiology-of-psychiatric-conditions-substance-use-and-social-environment-epicss-emilie-agardhs-renee-gardners-research-group

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You asked, we listened: what is the link between ASD and ADHD?

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This week’s ASF podcast topic comes from the listeners: what is the link between ASD and ADHD? Do parents diagnosed with ADHD have a greater chance of having a child with ASD? What are the similarities and differences? And what do families need to know? We interviewed Dr. Meghan Miller from the University of California Davis, who is one of the most prolific academics (and trusted psychologist to families) in this area. Want to read some of her research? Here you go:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6439602/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7891894/

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Moving the needle towards earlier diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders

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This week, the CDC published data that showed that the average age of first developmental evaluation for concerns was lowered by 5 months.  Five months is a lot to a family whose child is suffering and in need of help.  Separately, research out of Houston shows that many families are able to skip the formal evaluation and receive intervention prior to an established diagnosis based on demonstrated need that the child needs services.  This was the good news in autism, and while there is still a lot to be done especially with regards to racial and ethnic differences, public health is moving in the right direction on this issue.  But not all people with autism view their differences as symptoms or a disability.  What can we learn from people who use sign language to communicate to inform us about the way some people with autism communicate?  A special meeting called Conversations in Autism and Sign Language (CASL) brought experts and individuals on the spectrum to discuss.