Increased recognition, understanding, and awareness of autism in the last few decades have been, in part, driven by the significant growth in research evidence. While many aspects of autism remain poorly understood, major advances have been made in terms of highlighting the genetic [Abrahams & Geschwind, 2008], biological [Belmonte et al., 2004], environmental [Currenti, 2009], and developmental [Elsabbagh & Johnson, 2010] origins of the condition. Large-scale and well controlled cohort studies (e.g., http://www.earlistudy.org) following-up pregnant mothers are likely to clarify the effects of some pre- and perinatal risk factors implicated in autism. Significant strides have also contributed towards developing and validating screening and diagnostic instruments, helping to reduce heterogeneity in clinical characterization in research studies. While some of these diagnostic tools remain highly resource intensive, they are increasingly used in clinical settings, as they provide rich and systematic information to inform service provisions where those are available. However, even in high-income countries, provisions for screening, diagnosis, and intervention are highly variable and many cases absent in community settings.
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