Wendy Stone is a co-author of a study that found that younger siblings of children with autism have a one in five chance of autism diagnosis.
The importance of carefully monitoring the early development of younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders was highlighted. With early intervention, autism symptoms can be attenuated, or perhaps even prevented. “Almost one in five later-born siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders will receive a similar diagnosis, so we need to be active rather than passive in assessing risk factors and identifying developmental concerns in these children from young ages,” said Wendy Stone, co-author and director of the UW Autism Center .
“Recurrence Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Baby Siblings Research Consortium Study” was published online in the Pediatrics journal August 15. The study has received coverage from MSNBC to Gay Today; from Baltimore to India. http://www.washington.edu/news/articles/younger-siblings-of-children-with-autism-have-one-in-five-chance-of-autism-diagnosis-1