CARD® and Lineagen Offer FirstStepDx® Genetic Testing and Counseling for Children on the Autism Spectrum
Individuals receiving the world’s most advanced treatment for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) at CARD® will now be offered the most comprehensive clinical genetic testing service available.
WORLDWIDE – December 3, 2012 Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and Lineagen, Inc. today announced the launch of a new clinical partnership to offer Lineagen’s FirstStepDx® genetic test to patients and their families. FirstStepDx is a whole-genome genetic test customized with validated, novel proprietary genetic variants associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Under the terms of the partnership agreement, FirstStepDx, integrated with a pre-and posttest genetic counseling service and personalized reporting, will be offered to clients receiving treatment using CARD’s innovative Skills® program. FirstStepDx is the first program of its kind, designed to meet current clinical guidelines that recommend chromosomal microarray analysis as a first-line genetic test as part of a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of individuals with ASD.
CARD® is the world’s largest provider of state-of-the-art, early intensive behavioral intervention for individuals with ASD. Lineagen is an innovative molecular diagnostics company focused on integrated genetic testing and counseling for individuals with ASD and other disorders of childhood development.
Doreen Granpeesheh, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CARD® founder and executive director, commented, “We are constantly seeking new opportunities to enhance our services with proven research. Recent scientific literature and clinical guidelines have recommended genetic testing and counseling for children with autism spectrum disorders. In selecting a partner in this area, CARD® chose Lineagen’s FirstStepDx because it includes the most advanced technology, complemented by the personal service similar to that provided by CARD® to each client and family.”
Michael S. Paul, Ph.D., Lineagen’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to initiate our clinical partnership program with CARD. Identification of genetic variants associated with ASD, as well as other disorders of childhood development, with our FirstStepDx test furthers the understanding of the etiology for these disorders and may aid physicians and treatment specialists to more accurately guide clinical management. We look forward to providing children who are receiving the best treatment at CARD® with the best genetic testing and genetic counseling service currently available.”
About Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD)
CARD® treats individuals of all ages who are diagnosed with ASD, with 23 treatment centers around the globe and a staff of nearly 1,000. CARD® was founded in 1990 by leading autism expert and clinical psychologist Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA-D. CARD® treats individuals with ASD using the principles and procedures of ABA, which has been empirically proven to be the most effective method for treating individuals with ASD and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the US Surgeon General. For more information about the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, visit: www.centerforautism.com or call (855) 345-2273.
About FirstStepDx
Lineagen’s FirstStepDx and related autism-risk screening services (www.m-chat.org) have been developed with the specific intention of helping physicians, patients, and families navigate the diagnostic evaluation “odyssey” of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related forms of developmental delay more efficiently. FirstStepDx includes personal genetic counseling, the most advanced CMA and Fragile X genetic testing clinically available, analysis by medical experts, and a detailed, personalized report created specifically for each individual’s case. Providing the most clinically actionable information per test result, FirstStepDx is specifically designed to help parents, physicians, and other healthcare providers significantly shorten the time to clinical action, allowing access to proven clinical management and treatment approaches as early as possible. The FirstStepDx genetic test now is available as a fast and painless cheek swab (FirstStepDx Buccal), eliminating the need for a blood draw. For more information about FirstStepDx, please call Lineagen at 888-888-OPEN (888-888-6736) or visit www.FirstStepDx.com.
About Lineagen
Lineagen, a Salt Lake City-based company, aims to accelerate and enhance the diagnostic evaluation of medical conditions so that the best possible outcomes can be achieved for patients and their families. Our first commercial offering, FirstStepDx, provides physicians with a fully integrated genetic testing, counseling, and developmental screening service to aid in the diagnostic evaluation of individuals with ASD or other forms of developmental delay. In addition to our deep commitment to ASD and developmental delay, we have ongoing scientific programs in the areas of multiple sclerosis (MS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For additional information, please visit www.lineagen.com.