A recent study revealed that men aged 40 and older are more likely to father an autistic child compared to those who are below 30 years old. This research reinforces early studies’ claim that genetics play a role in the development of autism, a brain disorder that causes different kinds of abnormalities including problems with communication, social interaction and behavior.

Lead researcher Abraham Reichenberg said that the study gives “the first convincing evidence” that the father’s old age is indeed a risk factor for the development of autism among children. It was also found out in the study that the gender ratio of the autistic children changes as the father gets older. Generally, six times as many boys as girls develop autism but when the father is 40 years old or older, the ratio becomes 1-1. According to Reichenberg this could mean that there are several mechanisms that contribute to autism in males than in females or that that the mechanism changes for older fathers.