"What You Need To Know About Autism Spectrum Disorder" - Sheila Dougherty
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 68 kids in the United States has been identified with autism spectrum disorder. It’s a condition that’s misunderstood by many. April is Autism Awareness Month, so we spoke with Silvia De Rubeis, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a psychiatrist at the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai to separate the myths and the facts. “Individuals with ASD have deficits in social communication that can manifest as poor eye contact and difficulties interpreting facial expressions. We have not yet identified all of the factors contributing to risk, but it’s very clear that genetics play a major role,” said Dr. De Rubeis. “One of the most dangerous misconceptions is that vaccinations during childhood cause autism. Multiple studies have addressed this question and the data show no causal relationship between vaccination and autism.”
- Silvia De Rubeis, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Psychiatrist, The Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai