A year ago, an Australian study was published in the journal Molecular Psychology claiming that a test could spot patterns of genetic variation that differed between people with autism and ones without; it supposedly predicted autism with 72 percent accuracy. Now a new study from Massachusetts General Hospital finds that the patterns did not accurately point to Autism Spectrum Disorder; one issue is that the original research was based on populations with different ethnic compositions, which could have reflected random ancestral differences rather than meaningful ones.
The study raised concerns about autism as something that needs to be fixed or cured. Other parents have felt the same way when the news came out about scientists turning off the extra copy of the chromosome behind Down syndrome. As the parent of a child with cerebral palsy, I ache for more research on treatments that will help alleviate the symptoms of CP, and improve his quality of life.
In fact, word also just came out about a new web-based tool that will help experts provide behavioral intervention for kids with autism. The Center for Autism and Related Disorders reported in the journal Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders that the tool gives information that helps clinicians create better intervention plans, important for reducing challenging behaviors.
It can be hard to hear about science that aims to eradicate the conditions our children have. I love my son as is; he is not defective in my eyes. He has his challenges, but they do not define him. Of course, I want to do whatever I can to help and enable him. My greatest hope is that science continues to advance treatments for people with cognitive and physical disabilities, giving our kids the best possible lives.
From my other blog:
If my child could wake up without special needs
Sibling therapy for kids with special needs
My husband’s so negative about our child with special needs: Help another mom out
Image of child drawing brain via Shutterstock