With help from Maryland families, scientists find overlooked genes for autism

There are many ways to enhance the lives of those diagnosed with autism, a developmental disability that federal figures show affects 1 in 44 children. But the condition is a spectrum of disorders affecting social communication and interaction, and doctors aren’t always able to provide parents with precise information about what to expect or know how to tailor the therapies. With the help of hundreds of families in Maryland and many more around the country who shared their genetic information, a group of researchers have identified a previously overlooked group of genes linked to moderate forms of autism that a Kennedy Krieger Institute autism researcher says puts those doctors “one step closer.”