According to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism is now ten times more common today than it was ten years ago. On Tuesday of this week, listeners to Talk of the Nation heard the personal side of the story in a look at living with autism. In this hour of Science Friday, join guest host Paul Raeburn for a discussion of the science of autism, a complex developmental disability.

What's behind the rise in the autism rate? Are we just diagnosing the disease better, or is some environmental factor to blame? Plus, a look at the genetics of the disease, and at the claim that vaccines may be causing the disease. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255, and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required)

Guests:
Susan Folstein
Director, Autism Genetic Research Cooperative
Professor of Psychiatry
Tufts University School of Medicine-New England Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts

Andy Shih
Director, Research and Programs
National Alliance for Autism Research
Princeton, New Jersey

Neal Halsey
Director, Institute for Vaccine Safety
Johns Hopkins University
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore, Maryland

Books/Articles Discussed:

Halsey autism statement   (find more SciFri books here)

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Related Links:
Tuesday's Talk of the Nation on 'Living with Autism'
National Alliance for Autism Research
Autism Society of America: Autism Society of America
Cure Autism Now Foundation
Exploring Autism
NIH: Health Information
MEDLINEplus: Autism

This segment produced by Annette Heist