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Autism and Genetics

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Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan

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Abstract

Autism had initially been considered to be caused by environmental influences, but it is now known that there is a strong genetic influence on the development of autism. In addition, autism is genetically heterogeneous, and may occur as a component manifestation of a genetic syndrome or occur as an isolated trait. However, the genetic evaluation of an individual is still limited by the availability of certain tests, although as technology proceeds, the approach to testing is expected to change. This chapter reviews currently recommended approaches to testing, and some speculation on what will likely be available in the future.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Pediatrics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 15 Michigan St, Room 363, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA

    Helga V. Toriello Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Helga V. Toriello Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Helga V. Toriello Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Innovative Solutions for Disadvantage and Disability and Department of Pediatrics, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    I. Leslie Rubin

  2. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Medical Services, Division for Developmental and Developmental Disabilities, Ministry of Social Affairs and Social Services, Jerusalem, Israel

    Joav Merrick

  3. Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Donald E. Greydanus  & Dilip R. Patel  & 

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Toriello, H.V. (2016). Autism and Genetics. In: Rubin, I.L., Merrick, J., Greydanus, D.E., Patel, D.R. (eds) Health Care for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_60

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18096-0_60

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18095-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18096-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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