In an effort to better understand the causes of autism in those with a known genetic variant associated with ASD, in 2010, the Simons Foundation launched @SimonsSearchlight. Since it’s inception, it has grown to not just study specific genes, but to provide resources to researchers, support for patient advocacy groups to develop clinical trials and to gather together, identify of even more genes associated with autism, and create communities. These communities share similar underlying mechanisms even though there are dozens of genes represented within @SimonsSearchlight. This week is a conversation with the leader of Searchlight, Dr. Wendy Chung from @BCH, about why genes are so important to study, what has the scientific community learned, and how Patient Advocacy Groups have grown and flourished as a result of this understanding.



If you are having problems accessing a genetic test, here are some tips




Genetic Testing