In what appears to be the largest long-term study of autism causes yet, a five-year study will commence soon that will observe genetic and environmental factors of the condition by looking at 2,700 children (maybe more) and their families.

Autism has been a hot ticket in the news this year as the CDC stated one in 150 or so children born in the U.S. have some form of autism. Naturally, this caused many would-be parents to want more information.

The study will observe children with autism and other developmental delays in addition to those with normal development.

Environmental variables like medical history, genetics, and sociodemographic, lifestyle and environmental factors will all be considered -- and it's about time. So many studies have lingering data collection issues that make conclusions a little less viable from a belief standpoint. This study looks to buck that trend.