One of these groundbreaking new studies has found that a major risk factor for the development of autism is how close together children are born. The study was conducted out of Columbia University, and concluded that there was a significant increase in incidents of autism for a child born within 12 months of an older sibling. In fact, the increased risk amounted to almost 150% for the child. Obviously, this is a significant finding and will likely influence the decisions parents make on how they space out their children.

Getting To The Bottom Of The Autism Epidemic

If you’ve been paying attention, it’s no secret that the number of autism cases around the world have been rising at a dramatic rate. Unfortunately, so far there has been no concrete answer as to what is causing this dramatic increase. It’s only recently that studies, such as the one conducted out of Columbia University, have started to be able to identify certain risk factors but many questions still remain. We can only hope that as new scientific research identifies important information about the causes behind autism we eventually get a definite answer.

Finding Help For Those With Autism

If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with autism and is struggling, it is important to find them the right support resources to allow them to flourish. Though individuals with autism often struggle to live independently, there are resources available that can really help them with this process. At New Directions For Young Adults, we specialize in helping those with autism gain the skills and confidence they need to establish themselves as fully independent adults. If you are in need of our help, we encourage you to contact us today at (954) 571- 5102.