Skip to main content

Environment Plays Bigger Role in Autism Than Thought



Study in Twins Finds a Shared Environment Influences the Development of Autism More Than Shared Genes
By Brenda Goodman
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

July 4, 2011 -- One of the largest studies of twins shows environment may play a larger role in the development of autism than previously recognized.

Several small studies conducted over the last three decades have found that it is much more common for identical twins to be diagnosed with autism than it is for fraternal twins.

That’s led to the belief that the lion’s share of the odds of developing autism is written into a person’s DNA, with a much smaller percentage coming from something in the environment.

The new study, which is published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, found that autism was surprisingly common in fraternal twins, despite the fact that they don’t share as many of the same genes as identical twins, suggesting that something in their mutual life circumstances may be playing at least as strong a role as genetics.

“There are lots of neuroscience papers that begin ‘Autism is one of the most heritable conditions in psychiatric genetics and shows over 90% heritability...’ and I don’t think people should start their papers that way anymore,” says Harold Hill Goldsmith, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

You can read the rest of the article HERE.

If you no someone on the Autism spectrum that might benefit from training karate training.  Please contact me at 803-462-9425.  I have worked with several children ranging in age from 8 to 14, including one boy who was non verbal and extremely severe.  Most Autistic children benefit from getting exercise and focusing on core skills that require good self control and hand to eye coordination.


You are welcome to try a class for FREE!

Sensei Chris Feldt
Samurai Karate Studio
Columbia, SC 29229
803-462-9425
samuraikaratestudio@gmail.com
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How To Talk To Kids About Leiby Kletzky

10 Tips Parents Need to Know By Dr. Robyn Silverman A horrific story about a 8 year old boy, Leiby Kletzky, gone missing, murdered and dismembered in Brooklyn this week, has parents wondering how to talk to their children about this tragedy. As a parent myself, all I wanted to do was shut my eyes, close my doors, and hold my children tight. It is every parent’s nightmare—not just because of the loss itself—not just because of the gruesome way this young boy died—but because of the senselessness of the murder. What was the motive? Why this boy? Or perhaps more accurately, could it have just as easily been mine? As a mother I find it so hard to write this article. My stomach flips and my teeth chatter just like yours. We want to raise happy, healthy, confident children—not ones that hide from the world and fear those within it. At the same time, these kinds of sickening stories make us want to yell; “stay home with me and never venture out alone!” Logically, we know ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Guilt and Innocence: Signs of Child Abuse

By Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. The public seems to be mesmerized by the Casey Anthony trial and the verdict of not guilty. Frankly, we didn’t follow the trial or much of the media frenzy. We don’t really know anything about Casey’s allegedly dysfunctional family or what really happened to young Caylee. Psychologists shouldn’t try to diagnose someone they have never met—it’s just not appropriate, ethical, or good practice. However, it does seem pretty likely that Caylee didn’t always have the care and attention that she needed in her short life. You can get the rest of the article HERE .
Post a Comment
Read more

Model Anti-Bullying Statue

  The below document is a proposed anti-bullying statue that states can use to as a guideline for anti-bullying legislation.  It was provided by The Bully Project. ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE MODEL K-12 BULLYING PREVENTION STATUTE (A) Prohibited Activities: (1) Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Cyberbullying, prohibited: (a) No student shall be subjected to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying in any public educational institution, (i) During any education program or activity; or (ii) While in school, on school equipment or property, in school vehicles, on school buses, at designated school bus stops, at school-sponsored activities, at school-sanctioned events; or (iii) Through the use of data, telephone or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, or computer network of any public educational institution. (b) As used in this Act, Kharassment, intimidation, bullying or cyberbullyingL means any written, verbal or physi...
Post a Comment
Read more