ASU research revealing clues to autism causes

ASU professor James Adams was interviewed by ABC News-Channel 15 in Phoenix about advances he’s helping make in research to better understand the causes of autism, and to develop more effective treatments for the developmental disorder.

Adams is a professor in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical and Materials Engineering, a part of ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. He’s also president of the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.

Adams is studying the role of exposure to toxic metals as a factor in the cause of autism, as well as what metabolic problems common to autistic children indicate about causes or possible treatment options.

He and other ASU researchers are also involved in a new study that will use DNA-based techniques to analyze the amount and types of bacteria present in children with autism compared to the amount and types of bacteria in children without autism.

He talked to ABC News 15 reporter Jodie Heisner about the research just before a fund-raising breakfast for the Autism Society in Phoenix.