Studies Affecting Your
Care
Study Outlines Approach to Genetic Diagnosis in
Autism
A three-tiered approach will give a
genetic cause for autism in approximately 40 percent of
patients diagnosed with the disorders
This new approach was developed by Drs. G. Bradley
Schafer of University of Nebraska and Nancy J.
Mendelsohn of Children's Hospitals and Clinics of
Minnesota. Their work was published in the January issue
of Genetics in Medicine, official journal of the
American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG).
There is strong evidence that autism is primarily a
genetic disorder. But even with this new approach
diagnosis is still based mainly on behavioral factors.
Unfortunately, there are many causes for a diagnosis of
autism and autism spectrum disorders. This new genetic
approach will finally give answers to the many families
afflicted with this diagnosis.
This systematic approach serves as a blueprint to
help geneticists and pediatricians evaluate the many
causes and give a pinpoint diagnosis to families.
Recently there has been many discussions about genetic
causes of autism. The recent articles from the New
England Journal of Medicine have also implicated genetic
changes and now there is an approved fine tuned approach
to this spectrum of disorders.
Despite this evaluation many insurers have argued
that the evaluation brings no new information for
treatment. We at Helix Health disagree. These results
provide important information about the risk of autism
for future children. In addition there is a real benefit
identifying the cause your child's condition.
In fact it may allow families to stop going to
several doctors getting un-needed and expensive
non-diagnostic tests.
Drs. G. Bradley Schafer of University of Nebraska and
Nancy J. Mendelsohn agree with this stance.
"It is our contention that all patients with autism
should be offered a thorough diagnostic evaluation."
To contact Helix Health for further information about
the evaluation
click
here.
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