Sex cells linked to autism

When autism occurs in a single child it may be the result of a mutation in a sex cell at the point of conception, according to a new study.

In approximately 15 per cent of families with one autistic child, Yale University researchers claim that the cause is the result of a spontaneous mutation.

The discovery was made during the DNA sequencing of 238 families and could lead to a means by which to disable the disorder before birth.

Dr Matthew State, senior author on the study, commented: "Prior to the advent of new DNA sequencing technology, we were largely wandering in the dark searching for autism genes."

However, now scientists are in possession of the "tools" to unearth "a large proportion of the many genes contributing to autism".

These findings follow the release of a study indicating that being either born pre-term or post-term affects the severity of autistic symptoms.

Find out about Barchester's support for adults and children with a wide range of Autistic spectrum conditions.