Future Impacts of Dr. Yao’s Research
- Earlier detection of ASD through a physiological test, such as the pupillary light reflex, can lead to earlier intervention
Source: autismspeaks.org
Related Studies
- Dr. Yao plans to continue his research, using younger siblings of children diagnosed with ASD as participants
- Researchers at Washington State University also examined pupillary light reflex as it relates to autism
- Findings are consistent with Dr. Yao’s study
- A study published in Sweden in 2015 examined pupillary light reflex in siblings of children with ASD
- Findings include that siblings of children with autism had a faster and stronger pupillary light reflex compared to control infants
Contemporary, Societal, and Ethical Issues Related to Autism
- Vaccination debate: Do vaccinations cause ASD?
- Wide support from the scientific community that there is no link between vaccinations and ASD, however, there are still individuals and groups who advocate against vaccinations
- A lot is still unknown about ASD
- Autism is a spectrum disorder, therefore, not all who have autism are affected in the same way
- Variation on the spectrum makes it impossible to devise a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment and intervention
- Increased research and awareness can help society better understand ASD
Source: austinpug.org