Autism should not be seen as single condition with one cause, say scientists
8 hours ago
- #genetics
- #autism
- #mental-health
- Autism should not be viewed as a single condition but as multiple conditions with distinct genetic profiles.
- Early-diagnosed autism (before age 6) shows stable behavioral difficulties, while late-diagnosed autism (after age 10) often worsens during adolescence and is linked to mental health conditions like depression.
- The study found minimal genetic overlap between early and late-diagnosed autism, with late-diagnosed cases genetically closer to ADHD and mental health disorders.
- Autism diagnoses have risen sharply, partly due to broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness.
- Researchers suggest autism is a gradient, with subgroups requiring tailored diagnostic labels rather than rigid categories.