Advances in Preventing Autism Spectrum Disorder/ Nurse Practitioner Amy Edgar

A Fine Time for Healing

1 in 54 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Often a child diagnosed with it will be prescribed a complex cocktail of medications. The challenge is determining the best treatment plan, while taking into account drug interactions and side effects. Thanks to advances in testing, there’s a way to take into account a patient’s personal genetic information, which reduces the painful process of trial-and-error. The Genomind® Professional PGx Express™ test is a cheek swab that looks at 24 genes related to mental health treatments. It can identify, which medications may be less likely to cause side effects and which medications may be more likely to be effective for the patient, subsequently aiding in prescription choices, as well as, how a patient metabolizes medications for dosing guidance. Today's special guest, Amy Edgar, APRN, CRNP & FNP-C, a nurse practitioner, founder and director of the Children’s Integrated Center for Success, which offers services for children with autism, is here to discuss How genes involved in brain growth and development play a role in autismWhy symptoms and signs of autism vary from person to personHow the PGx Express Test can make management of treatment more simpleThe ways in which early intervention can make a difference in understanding autism milestonees