Specific Genetic Disorders and Autism: Clinical Contribution Towards their Identification

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Abstract
Autism is a heterogeneous disorder that can reveal a specific genetic disease. This paper describes several genetic diseases consistently associated with autism (fragile X, tuberous sclerosis, Angelman syndrome, duplication of 15q11-q13, Down syndrome, San Filippo syndrome, MECP2 related disorders, phenylketonuria, Smith–Magenis syndrome, 22q13 deletion, adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency, Cohen syndrome, and Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome) and proposes a consensual and economic diagnostic strategy to help practitioners to identify them. A rigorous initial clinical screening is presented to avoid unnecessary laboratory and imaging studies. Regarding psychiatric nosography, the concept of “syndromal autism”—autism associated with other clinical signs—should be promoted because it may help to distinguish patients who warrant a multidisciplinary approach and further investigation.