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Newswise — Autism expert , of Penn Nursing leads some of the most extensive, long-term research on autism spectrum disorder.

She directs the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Research and Epidemiology () at Penn, one of six such Centers funded by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work collaboratively to understand the causes of autism and the reasons for its recent increase in prevalence nationwide.

Dr. Pinto-Martin is available to comment on:* Changes to the definition of autism in the newest (fifth) edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ()* , as reported in her extraordinary research findings, published in Pediatrics, that premature infants are five times more likely to have autism than children born at normal weights* Risk factors for developmental delays and autism* How genes and environment affect child development* Approaches to autism research and treatment.

is one of the premier research institutions in nursing, producing new knowledge in geriatrics, pediatrics, oncology, quality-of-life choices, and other areas. Penn Nursing researchers consistently receive more research funding from the National Institutes of Health than any other private nursing school, and many master’s programs are ranked first in the country.