One in five siblings of children with autism have some language delays or speech problems, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

"Researchers presume one child is affected and the other is not, but our findings suggest that although one child may have autism, while the other does not, it is very possible that both children are affected to some degree by genes that contribute to autism, "said John Constantino, lead author of the study.

Constantino found that 20% of siblings received a diagnosis of speech problems, and 50% had autistic qualities in their speech.

The study appears in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
 

Labels: autism, special-needs

Posted By: Aspen Education Group