Autism risk estimated at 3 to 5 percent for children whose parents have a sibling with autism

Roughly 3 to 5 percent of children with an aunt or uncle with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can also be expected to have ASD, compared to about 1.5 percent of children in the general population, according to a new study. The findings call into question the female protective effect, a theory that females have a lower rate of ASD than males because they have greater tolerance of ASD risk factors.