Parents with autistic children ‘want genetic tests for siblings’

A new study has shown that the parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) would pursue genetic risk assessment testing for their other offspring if this was available to them.

The web-based survey, carried out by biotechnology firm IntegraGen, revealed that 80 percent of people in this position would be interested in a test that could help to identify whether the siblings of ASD patients were also at risk.

Presently, it takes an average of three years for a child to be diagnosed with an ASD from the point at which a parent suspects the infant has a developmental delay.

Parents said they would be interested in a genetic test for siblings in order to secure earlier access to intervention and closer monitoring, as well as putting their minds at ease.

Dr Antonio Hardan, a member of IntegraGen's advisory board, said many parents "know earlier diagnosis and intervention leads to better outcomes, so the availability of an early screening tool that could aid with early diagnosis would relieve some of their anxiety".

In England, it is believed that one in every 100 children has some form of ASD, with cases shown to be far more prevalent among boys than girls.