Join Dr. Regan for an episode in which she answers listener questions related to autism and the physical body. Topics include genetics, brain pathways and neurology, nature versus nurture, medications, and nutrition/diet.    Genetics and Autism article Neurogenetics: Smith-Magenis Syndrome Autism and Medication review   Dr. Regan's Resources New Course for Clinicians - Interventions in Autism: Helping Clients Stay Centered, Connect with Others, and Engage in Life New Course for Clinicians: ASD Differential Diagnoses and Associated Characteristics Book: Understanding Autism in Adults and Aging Adults, 2nd ed Audiobook Book: Understanding Autistic Behaviors Autism in the Adult website homepage Website Resources for Clinicians   Read the Transcript: 00:00:11,040 --> 00:00:14,410 Hello and thanks for joining me. 3 00:00:14,420 --> 00:00:18,220 This is Dr Theresa Regan welcoming you to the podcast, 4 00:00:18,230 --> 00:00:19,960 autism in the adult. 5 00:00:19,970 --> 00:00:22,170 I am a neuropsychologist, 6 00:00:22,180 --> 00:00:24,880 a certified autism specialist. 7 00:00:24,890 --> 00:00:30,150 The director of an autism diagnostic clinic for adolescents, 8 00:00:30,340 --> 00:00:32,100 adults and aging. 9 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:36,760 Adults in Illinois and the parent of a teen on the spectrum. 10 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:47,950 Last episode I invited listeners to write in questions they would like me to field in a question and answer podcast. 11 00:00:48,640 --> 00:01:01,940 So what I've done is that I have gone through and tried to group some of the questions into related categories and I won't get to all of the questions in this episode. 12 00:01:01,940 --> 00:01:09,560 But I am going to focus on several questions today that have to do with autism and the physical body. 13 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:14,150 So we're going to review things like genetics, 14 00:01:14,460 --> 00:01:18,850 neuro anatomy and the physical brain in autism. 15 00:01:19,240 --> 00:01:26,060 We're also going to talk about things like nutrition and diet and other physical aspects, 16 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:30,160 things that may impact the individual on the spectrum. 17 00:01:30,540 --> 00:01:33,450 Let's take the topic of genetics First. 18 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:57,660 A recent article about the genetics of autism found that at least 80 percent of the likelihood that someone will have autism neurology is driven by the genetic code and it's the code that impacts the development of the neurology within that individual. 19 00:01:58,040 --> 00:01:58,390 So, 20 00:01:58,390 --> 00:02:04,960 the neurology includes of course the brain and its nuclei and its pathways, 21 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:07,850 genetics includes code, 22 00:02:07,860 --> 00:02:11,650 parts that are inherited that is, 23 00:02:11,650 --> 00:02:20,340 there are some families with autism characteristics across multiple family members. 24 00:02:20,430 --> 00:02:24,460 Some members may not have any characteristics, 25 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:28,960 some may have a clustering of autistic characteristics, 26 00:02:28,970 --> 00:02:31,420 but not a formal diagnosis. 27 00:02:31,420 --> 00:02:37,650 They don't meet full threshold for the diagnosis and others will meet full threshold. 28 00:02:38,140 --> 00:02:42,230 So for some people who are diagnosed with autism, 29 00:02:42,230 --> 00:02:44,760 they can see characteristics, 30 00:02:44,760 --> 00:02:49,450 qualities of this neurology and various family members, 31 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:57,230 genetics also includes possible alterations in the code during development. 32 00:02:57,230 --> 00:03:02,210 So it can also mean that the genetics were not inherited, 33 00:03:02,220 --> 00:03:10,950 but that there were some unexpected alterations of the code as the brain and the nervous system were developing. 34 00:03:11,540 --> 00:03:22,250 That brings forth this autistic neurology and it is not as s