Researchers combine and discuss research about autism at Life Sciences Summit

Researchers from around the globe will be attending the 2010 Life Sciences Summit in an effort to improve the understanding of autism, asperger syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The forum will combine and discuss research focused on determining the genetic groundwork of ASD. Researchers are finding that the disruption of a key developmental process related to synapses may be a factor to children developing autism.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention divides ASD's into three main categories - autistic disorder, asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder. In each group, individuals experience social challenges and behave unusually.

Other research highlighted how enzyme deficiencies in autistic children affect the availability of amino acids, which are essential for healthy brain function.

Therapeutic boarding schools can help promote successful social skills for those who suffer from asperger syndrome.

According to experts from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately two out of 10,000 children have asperger syndrome.