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By Elizabeth Pattman / Times-News Posted Jan 7, 2018 at 9:58 AM

LabCorp has received a patent on a method for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders.

The method, invented by David Michael Margulies and Mark Firman Bear of Massachusetts, involves taking a tissue or body sample from a subject and then conducting a test to identify variant sequences in the subject’s genetic code, which may signify “the presence or an increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorders.”

Testing can be done on children and fetuses, according to the patent.

The method is stated to aid in the diagnosis of five autism spectrum disorders, all of which fall under the umbrella of pervasive developmental disorders: autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett’s disorder, and nonspecific pervasive developmental disorders.

The method claims to have multiple applications, each of which provides insight into the biological basis of autism spectrum disorders through different lenses.

First, the testing of a body sample and the finding of variant sequences could lead to comparison with known variant sequences linked to autism spectrum disorders, which could lead to a more definitive diagnosis. In similar cases, entirely new variant sequences may be found, and their link to autism spectrum disorders may be analyzed.

In some more detailed applications of the method, a subject’s nucleic acids from specific gene sequences may be analyzed for mutations or variants linked to autism spectrum disorders, which may provide information on the development and expression of the disorders. Comparison of these nucleic acids could be done between samples obtained from subjects known to have autism spectrum disorders, and subjects without.

Currently, diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders is based almost entirely on behavioral observation. Subjects must display six of 12 symptoms within the three categories of social impairment, communication impairment, and “a restricted repertoire of activities and interests” in order to be diagnosed, as outlined by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. According to the patent, misdiagnosis occurs frequently and, as such, definitive diagnostic testing is needed to identify these disorders.

The original patent was filed in March 2014, but LabCorp was assigned the divisional patent in December.

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Note/Warning:

Autistic people have fought the inclusion of ABA in therapy for us since before Autism Speaks, and other non-Autistic-led autism organizations, started lobbying legislation to get it covered by insurances and Medicaid. 

ABA is a myth originally sold to parents that it would keep their Autistic child out of an institution. Today, parents are told that with early intervention therapy their child will either be less Autistic or no longer Autistic by elementary school, and can be mainstreamed in typical education classes. ABA is very expensive to pay out of pocket. Essentially, Autism Speaks has justified the big price tag up front will offset the overall burden on resources for an Autistic’s lifetime. The recommendation for this therapy is 40 hours a week for children and toddlers.

The original study that showed the success rate of ABA to be at 50% has never been replicated. In fact, the study of ABA by United States Department of Defense was denounced as a failure. Not just once, but multiple times. Simply stated: ABA doesn’t work. In study after repeated study: ABA (conversion therapy) doesn’t work. 

What more recent studies do show: Autistics who experienced ABA therapy are at high risk to develop PTSD and other lifelong trauma-related conditions. Historically, the autism organizations promoting ABA as a cure or solution have silenced Autistic advocates’ opposition. ABA is also known as gay conversion therapy.

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[Note: Autism is NOT a disease, but a neurodevelopmental difference and disability.]

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Fact: Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism.

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