Autism And Early Childhood Rapid Growth May Be Linked, New Study Shows

Rapid growth in head size, weight and height may be linked with autism development in baby boys, according to new research.

In a small study based at Yale University, researchers found that baby boys with autism grew taller, weighed more and experienced more pronounced head circumference growth by age 1 than those without autism.

"We found that atypical head overgrowth in autism is accompanied by a similar slope for overgrowth in height and weight," said Kasia Chawarska, Ph.D, a professor at the Yale Child Study Center and the study's lead author.

This, she explained, suggests the mechanisms behind rapid brain growth in autistic infants are related to broader neuronal and musculoskeletal abnormalities.

The new study is not the first to draw a link between rapid growth and autism.

In 2003, researchers from the University of California, San Diego published a study showing small head circumference at birth followed by rapid growth in the first year of life is tied with autism development.

Though the exact mechanisms are not yet understood, researchers believe such "overgrowth" may leave the brain with too little time to form, leading to social and developmental issues.

So what does this all mean for parents?

Chawarska cautioned that not all children who have autism experience rapid growth as babies, nor do all children with early overgrowth develop autism.

"We do not construe our findings of generalized overgrowth as a specific marker for autism," she said.

Instead, the findings represent a jumping off point for continued research looking into whether children with rapid growth might constitute their own subgroup within the autism spectrum. Looking into such issues could also help uncover more information about the mechanisms underlying autism.

In the meantime, Eric Courchesne, a professor of neurosciences at UCSD who authored the earlier study, suggested that parents who suspect something is wrong speak with their pediatricians to administer a simple behavioral screen. (The Centers for Disease control puts the median age of earliest autism diagnosis at between 4 and 5 1/2, but estimates that 80 percent of parents suspect something is wrong much earlier, or by the time their child turns 2 -- the age at which reliable diagnoses can be made.)

"If [children] fail and if on top of that the child shows exaggerated head or body overgrowth, then parents would be well advised to get more in-depth information by going to a specialist," he said. "But just because a child has a larger than average head, it doesn't mean it's autism."

Comments

[KathySilverstein]

03:20 AM on 10/16/2011

I have heard the theory about rapid brain growth in the first year being linked to autism before. I didn't know it corresponded to physical size of the head or body, though. Especially, how does this relate to the fact that almost every autistic person I know looks young for their age? A lot of them seem smaller than average - not all, but more than most - and most have this youthful thing going on then makes them seem anywhere from 5 to 20 years younger. Besides observing this in all my Asperger's friends, I've seen numerous message board conversations where everyone agrees to this. Weird.

By growing too quickly, it is possible that the brain makes too many connections in some areas (hence more sensory issues because overaware of sensory stimuli) while not making other important connections.
Here are some resources about Asperger's I found in case anyone finds them useful.
http://www.aspergerssociety.org/articles/support.htm

For what it's worth, I was 2 lbs, 2 oz when I was born, and am 5 feet and 100 lbs now. I have always been on the small size. I am 27 and have Asperger's.

[wilkesgm]

04:14 PM on 10/15/2011

The California Assoc. for Behavior Analysis helped make it illegal in California to use aversive control on anyone who is in state care because of a mental disability. Studies have shown that autistic people often respond to aversive events - in many cases it is the only thing that will bring them out of their inner world. Does modern psychology have any practical knowledge of how to use of aversive control?
"...competence in the application of punishment is not the mark of a qualified behavior analyst. I know of no training program or degree, whether in psychology, psychiatry, education of behavior analysis that qualifies its recipient to use punishment. " Murray Sidman PhD. Coercion and Its Fallout.

The Assoc. for Behavior Analysis acknowledges..."An autistic child who repeatedly hits himself in the eyes with his fists, for example, is likely to cause blindness. If other forms of treatment (e.g., positive reinforcement, extinction) are unsuccessful, the child might be sprayed in the face with a water mister each time he hits himself. ... Stronger forms of physical punishment, such as brief and mild electric shock, are seldom used and then only as a last resort with severe behavior disorders that have not responded to gentler procedures. "

There is no university level course in teaching how to use aversive control. The "pros" acknowledge that aversive control works - but they don't know how to use it. So, who does? Answer: Nobody with an advanced degree.

[dugandean]

02:53 PM on 10/15/2011

Pot? Seriously? I'm the dad of three boys on the "spectrum." Two are clearly autistic. The youngest is an honor student and has very effectively hidden his autism at school. He has changed my notions about the disorder. There are a ton of theories about the cause of autism. But here's what I know: You can't make someone autistic. There is no brain injury or drug that mimics autism. I suspect that the mechanism for autism starts in the third trimester of pregnancy and during the first six months post partem. I believe that it has something to do with the migration of specialized brain cells. Some autistic people report being able to "see" musical notes. Some can "hear" colors. My middle son has severe epilepsy. While he was being worked up for brain surgery (kind of a last resort) I suggested that his seizures started in the right frontal lobe. The neurologist (one of the best in the world) shook his head and said "Nobody has seizures in the right frontal lobe. It's in the motor center." They literally removed the top of his skull and he had to lie still in a hospital bed for a week, with electrodes connected directly onto the surface of his brain. Guess what? His seizures begin in the right frontal lobe. This is the strangest, least understood disorder.

[theone26]

02:42 PM on 10/15/2011

My son who is 8 is autistic and when born was 7lbs 6 ounces, length 20. Now at 8 he stands 4'11 and 95lbs. his brother who is 2, not autistic was born 6lbs 7ounces,length 21. Now at 2 he's taller than quite abit of those in his age range and his weight is 40lbs...but he's a great eater, no health issues,strong and active. It's war of the forks to get his big brother to eat healthy things but he's shooting up through the roof.

[kisaten39]

01:42 PM on 10/15/2011

my youngest son has autism. he was born 4lbs 6ounces, hes allways been small, he is 9 now, and is short, his father is short. dont know what they are going to get out of this study.

[origamib]

01:38 PM on 10/15/2011

The article asks "What does this mean for parents?"
I'll tell you--

It means another poorly researched, knee jerk, premature announcement of a "well we're kind of sure but maybe not so much really" bit of crap that will keep some sets of new parents in a pathetic storm of fear, doubt and anxiety that their healthy baby is autistic.

This information (about head size and rapid growth) is not helpful information. The researchers are not determining causation, prevention, or treatment. And as it is so ambiguous, it's unlikely that it will get an autistic child into some type of therapy any sooner. So why scare the hades out of new parents with this "study"?

[jacmed]

01:31 PM on 10/15/2011

Boys, huh? What about girls? Furthermore, the study shows that "..not all children who have autism experience rapid growth as babies, nor do all children with early overgrowth develop autism." It seems to me that before frightening parents (i.e., taking the Chicken Little approach) they should have taken their "...jumping off point for continued research.." into that research before announcing any findings whatsoever.

[neurolink]

01:30 PM on 10/15/2011

What is new in this study? This fact has been shown in the past by well done studies.Looks like Yale lost inovative ideas, do some thing that you can be proud of. What a waste of ink!

[berlytowns]

01:23 PM on 10/15/2011

What it boils down to is this: If your child falls in the ..., say 95th percentile, you may or may not have a so called "autistic" child.

[berlytowns]

01:18 PM on 10/15/2011

""..not all children who have autism experience rapid growth as babies, nor do all children with early overgrowth develop autism.""

Soooo... It might be a factor, and it might not be a factor.

This "spetrum" takes in mostly normal kids who do no behave on the scale that parents deem perfect. If they are not "perfect" in the eyes of the parent, then SOMETHING must be wrong with them.

It's the same for ADHD kids. If they aren't perfect and would rather be outside playing, let's pump them full of drugs so they no longer want to play outside. Mothers and teachers only want kids who sit still and do what they are told these days.

[Ebelskiver]

01:57 PM on 10/15/2011

You obviously know nothing about ASD or ADHD. Interesting that you only blame mothers and not fathers. I think we know what your true agenda is here.

[berlytowns]

02:14 PM on 10/15/2011

And what would that be? Huh?

Mothers have total control (and they like it that way) over most everything about their children. Who else should be blamed? Women want the control but not the blame?

I do know that ADD, ADHD, bipolar and autism are designer afflictions that mothers use to explain why their children are not perfect in every way. They need some kind of support so it doesn't reflect negatively on them as mothers when they have children who don't sit calmly and be quiet when they are expected to.

Mothers use all of these as a crutch because they believe that if their children aren't perfect, it isn't THEIR (the mother) fault. Something else is to blame.

Things like autism, ADD, ADHD, etc. weren't necessary back years ago because mothers didn't see mothering as a contest to see who's kids turned out better than others.

[theone26]

03:04 PM on 10/15/2011

Are you kidding?, My son is autistic and I have NO intentions on medicating him and everyone in our family agrees to keep him clear of these things. That was completely disrespectful, do not speak as if you know what every mother and teacher is thinking. An obedient child is a bad thing to desire? no one wants to achieve that via meds but I've met many parents whose children are on meds in order to calm them down and honestly I can't completely argue with them because what they described before it sounded necessary at times. It is NEVER something that anyone wants to do having to lose their bright eyed child to one practically sedated and void of the world...you have no idea what that even does to a parent so just keep quiet if you have nothing sensible to say.

[berlytowns]

03:27 PM on 10/15/2011

What you deem as "sensible" may not be what I deem as "sensible". Because I have an opinion that differs from yours does NOT make it wrong.

So many people who WANT to be right aren't always.

[jgoetz9174]

12:04 PM on 10/15/2011

I must confess thet I have total ignorance on this subject matter, but it does come to my mind that the occurence of autism has greatly increased since the end of WWII. This also is about the time the government and "big food" manufacturers started experimenting with the food supply trying to get larger crop yields. Corn, soybean and cereal grains are different now than they were 50-60 years ago. Poultry and livestock are fed growth hormones and estrogen to promote rapid maturation. All of this stuff is not natural food, and our bodies' systems may not be able to respond to the different types of nutrients we are receiving. The growth hormones and estrogen being given to cattle and dairy stock and poultry may be the cause of changes in our bodies. These hormones may be accumulating in our bodies. Afterall, you do see a lot of men with chests like women any more, and puffy midrifts. This could be showing up in the most fragile place, our children whose system are so small might be reacting to the "new food" they are getting. I hope I am wrong, but I believe it will turn out that way in the future.

[eyedzervit]

01:22 PM on 10/15/2011

The "occurrence" of Autism has not necessarily increased. The diagnosis of it has. And this includes over-diagnosis too.
Autism is the new ADHD of the 90's.

[muted3]

01:43 PM on 10/15/2011

Now that medical attention has been focused on the symptoms and diagnosis of autism, and pervasive development disorders there is an informed and intelligent dialogue on the treatment for autism. This is the same intelligent focus and dialogue among professional physicans, psychiatrists and pyscholgists and parents for the treatment of ADHD and ADD. Try to get with it. These are facts not conjecture.

[jmarworth]

11:19 AM on 10/15/2011

All behavior is biologically determined, influenced by experience and expressed culturally.

[anilimili]

11:15 AM on 10/15/2011

Interesting connection, even if very non-specific. There are many variations in child growth, and most of them can be related to a multitude of factors, which makes it difficult to state causation or even correlation. On top of that, Autism is considered a descriptive diagnosis (i.e. not an etiology one), and is suspected to have multiple vectors to its manifestation. That is, it may be due to over-growth in some children, allergies in others, congenital abnormalities in others, familial/genetic factors in others, exposure to chemicals/viruses in utero in others, and so on and so forth. Most of the time, we don't know WHY a child is autistic, or how to prevent it, or what causes manifest with more severe autism versus on the milder spectrum of PDD. This doesn't mean that it is not important to diagnose it early and intervene early as well--the earlier the intervention is offered, the better the overall prognosis.

[ndmy]

09:31 AM on 10/15/2011

For a few years, a family with big-headed children lived next door to me. They had six children, only one with a normal-sized head.
We used to call them the Charlie Brown family. When anyone mentioned "the Charlie Brown family" neighbors would laugh, knowing exactly which family you were talking about.

[lauratxga]

10:28 AM on 10/15/2011

Wow, and you are proud of this behavior? You belittle and make fun of your neighbors while encouraging others to join in. Just think of the wonderful example you set for your children. Seems you haven't progressed passed the mentality of a second grader.

[berlytowns]

01:27 PM on 10/15/2011

What on earth ever happened to a sense of humor? Seems it isn't allowed any more.

It's human nature. You aren't perfect and neither are your neighbors. If you can't laugh about it, what good is it in living?

Get over yourself and your self righteous thinking.

[dmfischetti]

11:14 AM on 10/15/2011

Really? The neighbors would laugh? I am glad I didn't live on your block. You sound like a bunch of ignorant, heartless, bullies.

[berlytowns]

01:30 PM on 10/15/2011

Right back at you. Get over yourself. People can find humor in their neighbors just like the neighbors find humor in you. There's nothing wrong with that.

[tgrammiex4]

09:06 AM on 10/15/2011

Please excuse my ignorance on this topic. I don't remember as a teen or young adult ever hearing of autism( in the 60's-70's) Where did it come from? Was it called something else before they gave it the name "Autism"? Also, I know someone who has an autistic son who is in his late 20's. He is very violent and is now institionalized. Both parents smoked alot of pot , has there ever been any connection made between smoking dope andautism? Thanks to anyone who can answer my questions.

[MotorolaRival]

09:54 AM on 10/15/2011

I think there might be a connection between smoking pot and autism. My aunt works as a special ed teacher and a lot of the autistic children's parents smoked pot a lot, some even while they were pregnant with the child. It probably messes with your reproduction system but no one wants to believe that.
And I think autism has always been around though..they just didn't really have a name and probably classified it as mental retardation or something and it wasn't as common as it is today.

[tgrammiex4]

10:26 AM on 10/15/2011

Thanks for your reply. Intresting, is there any correlation between the increase of people smoking pot and the increase in Autism over the last 20-30 years? Food for thought.

[lauratxga]

10:29 AM on 10/15/2011

And your aunt knows this how?

[budandsally123]

11:03 AM on 10/15/2011

I noticed the same thing about this condition showing such prevalence in fairly recent times. I'm sure it's due in part to diagnosis. In the past such children were termed retarded and locked up in institutions for life. But it's more than that. Your pot theory sure bears consideration but perhaps current life styles that are so hectic and dysfunctional should also be considered. Pregnant women now work till they deliver when in the past they quit at about 3 mo. Oh of course in certain cultures they worked in the fields till they delivered but I'm not referring to physical activity but to the severe emotional stress modern women are under in jobs and in raising modern families. Just some thoughts. I'm sure many factors are involved.