Author: Jessie Jacobsen, Senior Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences and Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

A global rise in autism diagnoses is putting the spotlight on this relatively common neurodevelopmental difference. A recent study identified autism in 1.3% of four- to five-year-olds in Aotearoa New Zealand. This matches estimates overseas of 1% to 2% of eight-year-olds. In our new research, we looked at how genetic testing could support how people in New Zealand are diagnosed. Genetic screening of 201 autistic individuals, as well as 101 non-autistic family members, found almost 13% of autistic participants had a clearly identified genetic variant. An additional 16% had a DNA change that likely explained their autism. Importantly, our analysis…