Abstract:
The wide spectrum of unique needs and strengths of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a challenge for research. The epidemiological and clinical findings in ASD cannot be explained by the traditional linear monogenetic model, hence the need to move towards a more fluid conception, integrating genetics, environment, and epigenetics. Furthermore, different autistic endophenotypes are recently understood in more detail blurring the distinction between different and commonly co-occurring disorders and the normal human variation. Understanding the complexity of the topic and the line between different disorders and normality can be a research area in itself that support better experimental design in order to understand how to support autistic people and their families.