As advocates for those with autism and as a mother of a son who has been successful in spite of and in part because of his autism, we found the letter to the editor written by Charlie Gibbs to have misinformation about autism.

Scientific research is being done on the genetic linkages with autism and environmental causes and on the best interventions to help the individuals and their families who are affected by autism.

The human brain at 2 years of age is very different from the brain of a 4-year-old. Between these two ages, the brain's anatomy undergoes a transformation.

That is one reason that an infant will babble and will speak in short phrases but an older child can speak in sentences. This is not the only transformation that the brain undergoes during development.

Thorough analysis by numerous researchers has found no evidence that the MMR vaccine causes autism. They have looked for a connection with mercury levels and have found no correlation. They have looked for a connection with the attenuated virus and have found none.

The MMR vaccine happens to be given at about the same time that many children are first diagnosed with autism. That is the only connection.

Chelation therapy has killed children and is approved by the FDA only in the case of lead poisoning. It has not been approved for the treatment of autism.

Proponents of chelation therapy will say that it has killed children only when done improperly.

The idea that the mercury comes out of the body in the child's hair is a misinterpretation of the fact that any metal in the body will also be found in the hair.

This is true of arsenic, lead and mercury among others, but the hair is not the way that the body rids itself of mercury.

Autism has a very clear genetic basis. This is supported by twin studies where identical twins are found to both have autism in 92 percent of the cases, whereas fraternal twins both have autism in 10 percent of the cases.

Researchers are now finding genes that are strongly associated with autism by studying families with autism.

A new article in the April 20 issue of "Science" by Sebat, et al. is only one of many articles in the scientific literature that discusses the genetics of autism.

The Autism Center at the University of Seattle is a leading research and educational resource. It has found that early behavioral intervention helps the individual with autism and can improve their quality of life.

We agree with Mr. Gibbs that behavioral therapy can help and should be started early in life.

The Autism Society of America is another excellent resource for finding information about autism.

If you work with someone who is affected by autism, have a family member or friend who has autism, please get accurate information. Vitamins, dietary supplements and chelation therapy will not cure autism. The talents of people with autism are to be appreciated and can be used for success in life.

Truitt is a laboratory supervisor in the Department of Biological Sciences and Ramamoorthy is an instructor in the Department of Biological Sciences.