Researchers at the MIND Institute are now examining the DNA of families whose children have autism to learn more about possible causes of the disorder.
Five-year-old Lucy Firman…was diagnosed with autism at just 18 months…For the first time [on Sept. 9], Lucy and her mom became part of a new study that could link autism to genetics.
“We know there could be a lot of genetic causes, but we’ve always had a smaller sample of participants,” said Dr. Leonard Abbeduto, Executive Director at the MIND Institute.
The study aims to recruit 50,000 families to get a bigger sample, which researchers say would help them gain a better understanding of what triggers autism.
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[Lucy’s mother] says she hopes the new study will shed more light on the disorder she’s had so many questions about.Dr. Abbeduto is hoping for the same thing, and says, “this could be a game changer to understanding what causes autism and now we can work to better tailor treatments and prevention.”
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