In the News

Those classified with the disorder may have an extreme manifestation of common traits

A test that can identify early signs of autism among babies could emerge from a major new study of the developmental disorder that is being launched tomorrow.

Chemicals found in pet shampoos may be linked to a raised risk of autism, a study of how environmental factors influence the developmental disorder has suggested.

Thousands of children with autism in the UK could benefit from taking drugs such as Prozac, a US psychiatrist said yesterday.

Powerful evidence has emerged that may soon lead scientists to discover the causes of autism which, in one form or another, now affects about one in every 100 children in Britain.

The doctor who sparked a health scare by suggesting a childhood vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella is linked to autism faces a hearing on Monday into charges of professional misconduct during his research.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) has launched a new report calling for better support and services for young people during the crucial transition stages between school, higher education, training and employment.

A recent study has shown that as many as one in 58 children in Britain may have some form of autism - a far higher number than was previously thought to have been affected. Two of the seven academics at Cambridge University who were involved with the research believe this may be linked to the MMR vaccine. Their colleagues, including autism expert Professor Simon Baron-Cohen who led the study, reject this view.

As the leaked and incomplete results of a study on autism again raise fears among parents, the scientist leading the research tells our correspondent that the new reports are alarmist and wrong.

Scientists find that talented mathematicians are at least twice as likely as the general population to have autism.