The rate of autism in the world and in Israel is on a constant upward trend as researchers continue to try and analyze its causes. A new study, published in the journal , revealed an additional possible genetic origin of autism. Researchers have found that when one of the siblings in the family is on the autistic spectrum, another sibling has a high chance of also being diagnosed on the .
In the last decade, the prevalence of autism has risen to one in 36, and scientists around the world are trying to find the reasons for this. The current hypotheses are that the increase in the age of fathers increases the risk, in particular when the father's age approaches 50, as well as the possibility that the increase in awareness also increases the rate of diagnoses. The diagnosis of autism includes a series of developmental disorders that affect the ability of the child or adult to respond and communicate with their environment.
According to estimates, one out of every 200 children in Israel is diagnosed on the autistic spectrum, with 80% of them being boys. The disorders are usually diagnosed around age two and are expressed in a series of deficits in social and emotional interaction. Those affected by the disorder avoid making eye contact, have difficulty understanding and responding to other emotions, have difficulty understanding insinuations or sarcastic comments, have a limited range of interests, prefer to be alone than to be in the company of others, feel comfortable dealing w.
