Olympia family part of study in search of new autism treatments

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- New numbers show one in 59 children lives with autism. Now, the largest study of its kind is in search of breakthrough treatments to help families thrive.

That includes the Denison family of Olympia. Five-year-old Kiernan and his older brother Skyler are confirmed to have autism. And their 6-year old brother Malachai is in the process of being diagnosed. He is likely also on the spectrum.

Most people with autism spectrum disorder have social, communication, and other challenges.

Their mother Kami Denison described what it's like to hear that diagnosis. "It's kind of a bombshell. You know, it blindsides you the first time you hear that. It's, 'what did I do wrong?'" she said.

Her husband Lance Denison added, "You always wonder why something like that happens to you."

They are common questions, but most scientists agree, autism isn’t something someone did.

The biggest risk factor is in their genes. Researchers hope to learn more through the largest genetic study of autism ever. It's called SPARK, and researchers are recruiting 50,000 families across the country. Families simply register online, receive a saliva collection kit in the mail, then use it submit their DNA.

Dr. Jennifer Gerdts is the SPARK project investigator at Seattle Children's Hospital.

"We're setting the stage for being able to answer these questions of why, and then how do we target treatment, how do we tailor a specific type of intervention to people that have this type of genetic change," Gerdts said.

The Denison family is part of the SPARK study. They already know, each of the boys is unique. Keirnan is non-verbal but compassionate. Malachai is curious and energetic. Skyler describes himself this way. "I'm kind. And honest. And, loyalty," Skyler said. "I am awesome!"

The boys likely have different genetic markers, putting them in different places on the autism spectrum. Researchers want to know more about those differences.

"We wanted to be part of something that would help people in the future," Kami said. "When we found out about our boys, there's no manual that comes with that. You have to find the information."

"It seems to carry a lot of promise," Lance said. "And whatever comes of it, whether it's a little or a lot, it's more than we could have done on our own."

The Denison family prominently displays their family pride with a host of portraits on their living room wall. And they're willing to share more about their family - down to their DNA - in the hope that science will discover new treatments for autism.

If you would also like to participate in the SPARK study, more information is available online. Families can join from anywhere in the country. Local researchers have the goal of including every single family with an autistic child in the state of Washington.