QBI Talks: Public lecture on autism and genetics
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Listen to the public lecture given on 8 May 2017, by Professor Elliott Sherr, Neurology and Pediatrics at the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of California, San Francisco.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability characterised by marked difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication, restricted and repetitive behaviours and sensory sensitivity.
The number of people who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been rising in Australia. Autism, once considered rare, now comprises 31% of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, the largest disability group in the scheme according to the recent NDIS Quarterly Report issued in June 2015. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported enormous growth in the number of people with autism with data it collected in 2009 and again in 2012 through its Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC).
Professor ESherr directs the Brain Development Research Program, a group that studies the genetics and biology of autism and epilepsy. He is also a member of the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative.
His talk covered the latest research insights into autism, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities and other key neurodevelopment disorders in children.
