The present invention relates to nucleic-acid based diagnostics and the use of such diagnostics for the diagnosis of developmental disorders. Novel methods of assessing individuals for the risk of developing autism through the identification of mutations of the CFTR gene alone or in combination with other genes associated with the methylation pathways are identified. Methods of identifying those individuals that are at increased and/or decreased risk for developing autism are provided.
USE OF POLYMORPHISMS FOR IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUALS AT RISK OF DEVELOPING AUTISM