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According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the autism spectrum disorder is becoming more prevalent. One in every 150 American 8 year-olds are suffering from this disorder.

Although the causes of Autism are still not known, identification of the disorder could result to better outcomes for affected children.

Apart from strong genetic component, the MIND Institute of the University of California found that "one-year-old infants who don't respond to their names are more likely to have autism or another developmental problem by the time they're two."

Further,

A second study - this time by a team at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. - found that younger siblings of children with autism perform below par on tests of social and communication development compared with younger siblings of normal children. These deficits may represent the early indications of an autism spectrum disorder, the researchers said.

via Health on the Net Foundation