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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 A second study -- this time by a team at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. -- found that younger siblings of children with autism perform below par on tests of social and communication development compared with younger siblings of normal children. These deficits may represent the early indications of an autism spectrum disorder, the researchers said.
"This is demonstrating that even though siblings may not meet the diagnostic criteria of autism, they seem to also have deficits in language and the social domain. They're not developing as typical, normal children," Shih said. "This highlights the importance of paying attention to siblings of autistic children in terms of development. It also shows the importance of early diagnosis. If these deficits or delays can be identified earlier, it's a great opportunity to provide intervention."
A third study, from researchers at Harvard University and ABT Associates Inc, of Lexington, Mass, found that each individual with autism accrues about $3.2 million in costs over a lifetime, with lost productivity and adult day care making up the lion's share.
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It was already known that autism costs society more than $35 billion annually in direct and indirect expenses, but it hasn't been clear when these costs occur over a lifetime, the researchers said.
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Find out more about the fight against autism at Autism Speaks.
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