Studies In Autism


	Autism is a developmental disability characterized by impairments in social interaction, in verbal and non-verbal communication and a pattern of repetitive, stereotypic activities. Autism represents one end of a spectrum of conditions called the "Pervasive Developmental Disorders" (PDD) that share these clinical features but differ in natural history, number of symptoms, or patterns of behaviours. Autism represents the most extreme form of PDD and occurs in between 4-10/10 000 children with about four affected boys to every affected girl. The overall prevalence of PDD may be as much as 1 in 300 children. At present, two separate research studies of autism/PDD are being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Peter Szatmari. Of which, the first is a comprehensive study investigating the genetic factors that may have a correlation with autism/PDD. This study, recognizing that many parents are eager to become involved, readily extends an invitation, to any family with two or more children with autism/PDD, to participate. In addition, the autism/PDD project is undergoing a long-term 'Follow-up Study' of high functioning PDD children. The objective of this study is to complete an in-depth examination of the development and outcome of PDD children overtime while also investigating the differing outcomes of PDD subtypes such as Asperger's Syndrome. Complementing this research, the project collaborates with several other groups. One such team, headed by Jeremy Goldberg MD, is using a variety of imaging techniques to study the brains of individuals with Autism/PDD and their families. Another study, headed by Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, is working on a progressing study of the infant siblings of children with autism/PDD. The infant sibling study is funded by the National Alliance of Autism Research and is currently looking for volunteer families. _________________________________________________________________

Autism is a developmental disability characterized by impairments in social interaction, in verbal and non-verbal communication and a pattern of repetitive, stereotypic activities. Autism represents one end of a spectrum of conditions called the "Pervasive Developmental Disorders" (PDD) that share these clinical features but differ in natural history, number of symptoms, or patterns of behaviours. Autism represents the most extreme form of PDD and occurs in between 4-10/10 000 children with about four affected boys to every affected girl. The overall prevalence of PDD may be as much as 1 in 300 children.

At present, two separate research studies of autism/PDD are being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Peter Szatmari. Of which, the first is a comprehensive study investigating the genetic factors that may have a correlation with autism/PDD. This study, recognizing that many parents are eager to become involved, readily extends an invitation, to any family with two or more children with autism/PDD, to participate. In addition, the autism/PDD project is undergoing a long-term 'Follow-up Study' of high functioning PDD children. The objective of this study is to complete an in-depth examination of the development and outcome of PDD children overtime while also investigating the differing outcomes of PDD subtypes such as Asperger's Syndrome.

Complementing this research, the project collaborates with several other groups. One such team, headed by Jeremy Goldberg MD, is using a variety of imaging techniques to study the brains of individuals with Autism/PDD and their families. Another study, headed by Lonnie Zwaigenbaum, is working on a progressing study of the infant siblings of children with autism/PDD. The infant sibling study is funded by the National Alliance of Autism Research and is currently looking for volunteer families.

_________________________________________________________________

Visit the Centre for Studies of Children At Risk

Visit the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws