Related Experiment Videos
Genetic counseling in autism and pervasive developmental disorders
1Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Guy's Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|November 14, 1998
Summary
Families with a history of autism can now receive empirical recurrence risks for having another autistic child. Genetic counseling, integrating autism expertise and complex inheritance genetics, is crucial for informed reproductive decisions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Growing recognition of genetic factors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Increasing demand from families for personalized risk assessment regarding recurrence of autism.
- Need for specialized genetic counseling services for families affected by autism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide empirical recurrence risks for families with a history of autism.
- To describe a protocol for genetic counseling in the context of autism.
- To highlight the importance of discussing the broader autism phenotype and other reproductive concerns.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing current research evidence to calculate empirical recurrence risks.
- Developing a genetic counseling protocol integrating diagnostic, treatment, and genetic expertise.
- Identifying key factors influencing recurrence risk assessments for individual couples.
Main Results:
- Empirical recurrence risks for autism can be provided to families.
- A structured genetic counseling protocol is available.
- Factors influencing recurrence risks have been identified.
Conclusions:
- Genetic counseling is essential for providing accurate recurrence risks for autism.
- Counseling should address not only autism but also the broader phenotype.
- Comprehensive counseling supports informed reproductive decision-making for affected families.