It is important for parents to be aware and informed of the risks associated with Autism so that if their child is affected they can seek the help and advice they need.

The causes of Autism are still being investigated and many experts believe that the Autism may not result from a single cause. Some research shows a link with genetic or a family link, others show a link between autism and the environment

Some research studies conducted in the UK and the US have found a higher rate of autism among twins. The studies were conducted on both identical and non identical twins and it was found that Autism rates rose in identical twins. So Autism does appear to run in families or is genetic.

However, it is important to remember that not all research is reliable. Indeed most of the studies were conducted with very small samples

Other suggestions include just the fact of being a twin, environmental factors, conditions in the womb or the development of the placenta may all trigger autism. It has been suggested that being raised so closely with a same-age sibling may have some triggering effect for autism.

The research as yet is not conclusive and more information can be obtained from the national autistic society and the links below.

www.nas.org.uk/nas

Excess of Twins among Affected Sibling Pairs with Autism: Implications for the Aetiology of Autism David A. Greenberg, Susan E. Hodge, Janice Sowinski, and Doug Nicoll from The American Journal of Human Genetics
www.journals.uchicago.edu

Increased Rate of Twins among Affected Sibling Pairs with Autism
Catalina Betancur, Marion Leboyer, and Christopher Gillberg
from The American Journal of Human Genetics
www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov

AWARES article on Boston Autism Conference
www.awares.org/pkgs/news

Smile for the Camera—and for science (article about mom who kept twin diary) from the age.com.au
www.theage.com.au/articles

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) from Autismweb
www.autismweb.com/signs.htm