New Autism Fact Sheets Geared to Professionals

The latest research findings on autism are now available in fact sheets from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Six autism fact sheets are available from NICHD:

• Autism Facts is an overview of autism including related behaviors and available treatments.

• Autism Questions and Answers for Health Care Professionals features clinical issues including prevalence, causes, symptoms, diagnostic tools, and treatment options.

• Autism and Genes provides a summary of current scientific research into the genetic basis of autism.

• Autism and the MMR Vaccine describes the scientific evidence around the purported link between autism and the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine and current research efforts directed at getting to the bottom of this question.

• Rett Syndrome provides an introduction to a disorder that causes autism-like symptoms in girls and is triggered by a single genetic mutation.

These fact sheets are available at the NICHD autism Web site at www.nichd.nih.gov/autism or may be ordered free of charge from the NICHD Clearinghouse by phone at (800) 370-2943 or by e-mail at [email protected]. ▪