Authors:
Fairthorne J, Langridge A, Bourke J, Leonard H
Authors notes:
Recent advances in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Croatia: InTech; 2013. p. 387-423
Keywords:
Autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, neuro-developmental disorders, genetic causes, environmental causes
Abstract:
The autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a group of severe can chronic neuro-developmental disorders often simply referred to as autism.
The aim of this study is to review research on the pre-existing characteristics which differentiate mothers of children with ASD and/or ID of unknown cause from each other and from mothers of children without these disabilities.
Such an investigation may help to further clarify the determinants of ASD and/or ID including the role of genetic and modifiable risk factors.
Improving our understanding of the genetic and environmental causes of ASD and ID may reduce the future burden of these disabilities by hastening the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies.