The defining characteristics of autism have changed and expanded over the past two decades in large part due to substantial research progress and expanded clinical and
educational resources. Natacha Akshoomoff, UC San Diego, looks at autism from a variety of perspectives, including genetics, brain structure and function, early behavioral features, outcome predictors, and community diagnostic practices. In this presentation, she describes results from recent genetics studies that influence our understanding of autism and developmental disorders. She also describes the continuing challenges of diagnostic identification in community settings. (#29511)