Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that autism is not a single condition, but rather multiple conditions with different causes. Scientists analyzed the behavior of autistic people during childhood and adolescence in the UK and Australia, as well as genetic data from over 45,000 patients worldwide.
The study found that children diagnosed before age 6 had distinct behavioral difficulties, such as social interaction problems, while those diagnosed after age 10 experienced similar issues during adolescence. Those diagnosed later were more likely to have mental health conditions like depression.
Researchers discovered that the genetic profiles of those diagnosed early and late differed significantly. Children diagnosed earlier had a stronger predisposition to social and behavioral difficulties from an early age, whereas those diagnosed later had more in common with conditions like ADHD and PTSD.
The study aims to improve therapies by understanding different developmental processes of autism, rather than creating new subtypes of the condition. The researchers hope that their findings will help diagnose and treat autistic individuals more effectively.
Experts praise the research for shedding light on the diversity of autism characteristics and emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to diagnosis and treatment. By exploring the complex interaction between genetics and social factors, researchers can develop more targeted strategies to support autistic individuals.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/autism-is-not-a-single-condition-and-has-no-single-cause-scientists-conclude