Reacción a "Different autism profiles identified according to age of diagnosis"

The study, published in the journal Nature, highlights the discovery of two distinct genetic and developmental profiles associated with earlier and later autism diagnoses. It confirms that not only is autism highly heritable and a spectrum of conditions, but the age at diagnosis of autism is also heritable. The genetic data came from over 45,000 people across multiple international cohorts. The behavioural data however came from just four birth cohorts, with relatively small sample sizes (between 89 and 188 autistic individuals per cohort). These behavioural profiles were derived from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a general behavioural screening tool that does not capture detailed autistic and mental health traits and relies on caregiver reports rather than clinical assessments which limits the precision of the developmental trajectories described. Research in more diverse populations is needed to replicate the findings, with more detailed quality of life, everyday functioning and direct assessment measures.