Machine learning identifies FOUR autism subtypes

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Those were guesses. The actual study paper is behind a paywall.

haha now I've spotted Fnord's analysis. Thanks!

What is Degree of Severity as a subtype? I thought that would apply to all types?

@Isabella, yeah, so ok, I have additional mammary elements, and my ASD daughter and I also had "transient" spinal curvature. I had numerous pregnancies losses and hemorrhaged with my daughter. My daughter and I are both "too" happy and trusting, and with the spinal issue I wonder about the genetic similarities to Angelman's syndrome. I bet it's akin to ASD/our genetics. Patterns, patterns...

I am heterozygous MTHFR so folic acid supplements are less than effective, but I did take L-methylfolate once (as I'm told the body can process it better). Shrug.

I'd recommend you keep up on the methylfolate ^. It's part of my methyl-B Vitamins and made a huge difference to my anxiety, my nails, my hair, and all the "B" things. Folic acid even in food products can really hurt us. Do you have trouble with laughing gas too, like at the dentist? I can't metabolise that stuff and it can actually kill me. Lovely to know I had it for childbirth.

Sorry Mrs Peel I hope we aren't too far off topic. I'll try to find those papers today.

It IS a rather non-reader-friendly article.

Heavy on jargon- but even if you're a specialist at home in the jargon I would think that you find it be rather badly written.

Good and thorough at explaining how they did the research to be sure, but klutzy on explaining what they found. It says that they found "four subtypes" but doesnt really state what those subtypes are. And the pictures on top show..three brain types...not four brain types. So go figure!

So sure...Ill go along with your interpretation.
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But it shows steps in the right direction of the research.

It is exactly the sort of direction science needs to go. Looking for objective markers for various manifestations of autism. Theyve been stumbling in around in the dark with vague subjective labels long enough. The current "state of the art" is to subdivide us into the three "levels" of "needs some support", "needs moderate support", and "needs LOTSA support". Rather piss-poor after seven decades of autism "science" if thats the best that they can do now.

My 'interpretation' is just guesswork, although I feel greater confidence about guessing "Challenged Social Affect", "Communication Difficulties", and "Repetitive Behaviors" than I do about "Degree of Severity".

Now that you mention it, when I was pregnant the doctor put me on folic acid but it made me feel really ill and I had to stop taking it. What is the problem with folic acid?

I am always careful of how I identify or judge other people who are on the autism spectrum.

^^

It doesn't cause a problem for all autistic people, but depending on your genes it could. Some genetic sequences (mutations for lack of a better word) make people unable to metabolise Folic Acid whether it's found in food or in supplements. Folic Acid is normally broken down by the body to be activated but if you can't metabolise it properly, it'll do more harm than good. That could lead to a number of issues in your body including reproductive issues. Unfortunately most bread products and many other foods are fortified with artificial FA especially for the sake of expectant mothers, so it's hard to avoid. Maybe that's why you're doing so well on Keto when you avoid carbs.

Methylfolate is the natural form of Folic Acid and it doesn't need to be metabolised, so your body can use it properly. You can buy Methylfolate supplements and they won't hurt you even if you don't have the gene issue or even if you aren't autistic. I take a methylated B-Complex vitamin so all my B's are bioactive. Methylfolate (FA) is included. B's do everything from sleep regulation to hair growth, nails, anxiety, digestion and the nervous system. I'll send a pic of mine if I ever find my phone.

Yes, folate is a tricky one to understand and get right, and methyl folate supplements aren't without risk if the dose is high. The safe maximum for folic acid isn't that far above the RDA, and both that and methylfolate are said to be more potent than dietary folate. Still, as you know you've got the MTHFR problem, that probably means you've had tests and advice from health professionals. Me, I'm shooting in the dark because I've never been tested. But I gather the gene mutation is surprisingly common. Lucky you've only got the heterozygous type.

What is 'Social Affect' anyway? And what's the difference between that and 'Communication Difficulties'?


Also, when I had my DNA tested, I got this warning, I wonder if it's relevant to autism:

you may need to monitor your carbohydrates & sugar intake more closely.
Your genetic results suggest you may be at a disadvantage when it comes to breaking down carbohydrates and sugars, affecting your blood glucose regulation.

Do correct me if I'm wrong;

Social affect is more like one's reactions and feelings over self and others, in and out of social situations.
Issues arise when there's a form of dysregulation.

Lack of reaction over social situation is a sign of dysregulation.
This also meant less pliant, less influenced, less likely to change or 'vibe' with someone.

The same can be said with inappropriate amount of overreaction.
This also meant being too pliant, easily changed, possibly easily manipulated and influenced.



Communication differences are more to do with the person's interpretation, expressions and perceived contexts.

It can range from someone's language thinking, receiving body language cues, to a person's way of saying and expressing things.



I never had any DNA tests.

But my SPED teacher believes this statement applies to all cases of neurodivergence -- that eating too much carbs and sugar 'worsens' an individual's respective diagnosed 'symptoms', more notable behaviors, interfering learning and progress of therapy.

She calls it 'ND version of drunkenness'.
Worse case scenario would be regression -- based on her 20 years of experience. So she advises all parents' to strictly regulate sweet intake.

Whether it's ADHD, ASD, or any forms or LD... And age didn't matter either.

And advices the same to me -- though it aligns with my goal as someone with a family history of diabetes.
I'm still working on it. Among other things I'm trying.

Thanks so much Edna! That is really helpful.

Firstly, the carbohydrate thing. I kind of realised it before my DNA test because I feel a lot better eating mostly vegetables instead of carbs. I replace carbs with things like sweet potato, parsnips, butternut squash etc. and then I don't have so many blood sugar ups and downs.

Secondly, the social affect and communication difficulties. Your explanations are very clear and I think you are correct.

I'm now wondering if I am both those groups! I have no idea how people perceive me or what they think of me. I don't know how I come across socially. I struggle to work out how people are treating me, I often mistake patronising or manipulative people for friendly ones.

And I also misunderstand communication frequently- if it's written down I often go back to the communication and realise I'd totally misinterpreted it the first time. If it's spoken I forget immediately and wonder why people are treating me negatively. I can never remember what I've said even hours later.

I wonder if I fit more in one group or both?

I am pretty excited to think that these four groups might be studied now and some kind of help and support given to us!

Here's my B brand Mrs Peel

It was hard to photograph because of being rounded so I couldn't get the list of active ingredients. The folate is 333mcg but my doctor said I can take 2-3 a day if I remember to. I usually just take 1-2 because I'm a scatterbrain.

After googling, I've found a copy of the paper through here. There appear to be no open access versions otherwise, not even pre-prints:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Scholar/comments/12dejpf/article_molecular_and_networklevel_mechanisms/

I'll take a look at it.