Children with a genetic disorder called 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are often considered autistic

A new study reveals that a subset of children who are suffering from a genetic disorder is often misdiagnosed as being autistic. This happens because the social impairments which are linked with their delay in development have all the features of autism. The prevalence of autism in kids with chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is said to be 20 and 50 percent. The research revealed that none of the children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome could be strictly called autistic if strict diagnostic criteria for autism are followed. "The results of our study show that of the children involved in our study no child actually met strict diagnostic criteria for an autism spectrum disorder," said Kathleen Angkustsiri, study lead author. The researchers are putting stress on evaluations in order to assess autism and select appropriate treatment based on the symptoms.