autism awareness and other special needs

AUTISM STUDY ON TWINS REVEALS MORE GENETIC LINKS

By Kelly Brewington

The Baltimore Sun

BALTIMORE — At 22 months old, identical twins John and Sam Fetters couldn’t speak a word. By their second birthday, the
Gaithersburg, Md., boys had both been diagnosed with autism,
leaving their parents wondering if they got a double stroke of bad
luck, or if genetics could be responsible.

Researchers have known for years that when one identical twin has autism, the other is also likely to be diagnosed with it —
evidence that autism likely has a genetic component.

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STUDY SHOWS AUTISM BEHAVIOR TREATMENT IN YOUNG CHILDREN IS EFFECTIVE

By LINDSEY TANNER

The Associated Press

CHICAGO — The first rigorous study of behavior treatment in autistic children as young as 18 months found two years of therapy can vastly improve symptoms, often resulting in a milder
diagnosis.

The study was small — just 48 children evaluated at the University of Washington — but the results were so encouraging it has been expanded to several other sites, said Geraldine Dawson,
chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks. Dawson,
a former University of Washington professor, led the research
team.

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