Genomic, Transcriptomic, and Regulomic Analyses Do Not Support Profound Autism as a Distinct Biological Category (opens in new tab)

The Lancet Commission on the Future of Care and Clinical Research in Autism proposed the construct of "profound autism" as a recognizable subtype of autism. Supporters argue that this classification is necessary to ensure that autistic persons with severe impairment receive appropriate research attention and policy support, whereas critics contend that the construct lacks scientific validity and may reflect social or political considerations more than biological distinction. To inform this de...