A study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that adults with autism view their interests positively and believe they should be encouraged. Many participants reported anxiety relief through engaging in their preferred interests, highlighting the potential benefits of utilizing these strengths.
A new study found that negative first impressions formed by potential social partners may reduce the quality of social experiences for people with autism. People with autism were rated similarly on trustworthiness and intelligence but less favorably on likeability and awkwardness.
Recent research from the University of Maryland found that autism-related neural defects begin early in mammalian development, when key neurons form their first circuits. This study could lead to a stronger understanding of autism and possible early intervention strategies.
The 11th Annual Autism Conference will showcase notable research on sex education for teenagers with autism, promoting safety and understanding. The event will also feature studies on complex social play in children with autism and better approaches to measuring outcomes, aiming to improve the lives of individuals with autism.
A study published in the journal Microbiome shows that fecal microbial transplants can improve gastrointestinal symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders by 80%, while also improving social skills and sleep habits by 20-25%. The treatment, which involves transferring live gut bacteria from a healthy donor to a recipient, has s...
Researchers found a relationship between increased cortisol response to stress and gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autism. Individuals with autism who experienced frequent constipation and abdominal pain had greater cortisol levels in response to stress.
Adolescents with autism face significant stress as they transition to adulthood, with difficulties in accessing services and adapting to change being major concerns. Social workers can play a vital role in supporting families by coordinating essential services such as medical treatment and independent living.
Researchers induced autistic-like behavior in mice by lowering nSR100 protein levels, showing its causative role in autism. The study identifies nSR100 as a hub that channels molecular miscues contributing to the disorder.
A new method devised by Drexel University professor Connor Kerns to diagnose anxiety symptoms in children with autism has been proven effective. The Autism Spectrum Addendum (ASA) adds new questions to the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule - Child/Parent, helping determine behaviors related to autism versus anxiety.
Researchers challenged a popular autism hypothesis by studying brain responses to repeated visual and tactile stimuli. The findings showed that brain responses were as stable as those of healthy controls, contradicting the idea that unreliable brain activity causes autism symptoms.
A new UCLA study confirms and extends earlier findings that the brains of people with autism have a distinctive pattern of unusual gene activity. This abnormality suggests possible targets for future autism drugs, and provides insights into brain development during the first decade of life.
A national study led by Baylor College of Medicine aims to understand the link between antibiotic use and improvements in autism symptoms in some children. The research, funded by N of One: Autism Research Foundation, will examine the gut microbiome and metabolome for two years to identify potential causes and effects.
Researchers identified a new genetic cause of syndromic autism linked to the SLC7A5 gene, which transports amino acids into the brain. The study found that treating neurological abnormalities in mice with this gene mutation improved behavioral symptoms.
A recent study by Duke University researchers has identified a crucial link between autism and pain sensation, suggesting that the SHANK3 protein plays a key role in transmitting pain signals. The findings have significant implications for understanding autism-related sensory problems and developing effective treatments.
A recent trial suggests vitamin D3 supplementation improves symptoms of autism spectrum disorder in children, including hyperactivity and social withdrawal. The study found significant improvements after four months of treatment, but not with a placebo.
Researchers study how young children with autism pay attention to others' eyes and find they look less at the eyes due to missing social cues. They do not actively avoid eye contact like previously thought.
Researchers found microstructural brain alternations in autism spectrum disorder using Automated Fiber Quantification technique, which provides increased sensitivity to white matter changes. The study supports the hypothesis that autism is caused by large-scale disruptions in brain connectivity.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to discover that brain activity in both the child and mother is low during gazing, but increases with parental responses. This study provides new insights into social interactions and child development for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Researchers developed a smartphone app that tracks eye movement to detect signs of autism spectrum disorder, with an accuracy rating of 93.96% and potential for earlier detection and better treatment outcomes.
Researchers found a genetic alteration in the DIXDC1 gene that affects brain cell growth and communication in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. This discovery holds promise for identifying new medications targeting core symptoms of autism.
Researchers warn that current ADHD screening tools may not work for children with autism spectrum disorders, leading to misdiagnosis and potentially ineffective treatments. The study recommends refining the tool and supplementing it with clinical interviews to better identify the correct disorder.
Researchers found that mutations in the NF1 gene contribute to autistic behaviors in nearly half of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. The study provides insights into the genetic roots of autism and may lead to better treatments for children with NF1 and autism.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have discovered a unique genetic basis for autism that may enable earlier diagnosis. The study found distinct genomic characteristics and evolutionary forces shaping autism genes, which could help identify new candidate genes.
Researchers have identified a drug target that shows promise in improving social interaction in individuals with some forms of autism spectrum disorder. The breakthrough comes from a study using a new mouse model that reveals the molecular underpinnings of ASD-related behavior and brain physiology.
A study by researchers at UW Medicine and Seattle Children's Research Institute found a link between exposure to diagnostic ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy and increased autism symptom severity. The study suggests that current FDA guidelines may need to be revised to account for this potential risk.
Researchers have developed an iPad game that can help identify autism in children by tracking their hand movements, providing a potential breakthrough for early diagnosis. The study found that movement patterns are a key differentiator in gameplay data, highlighting the importance of motor skills in autism.
Research suggests that prenatal exposure to certain organochlorine chemicals may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children. The study found that children born after being exposed to high levels of these chemicals during pregnancy were 80% more likely to be diagnosed with autism.
A recent study by Princeton University and Simons Foundation researchers has identified over 2,500 candidate genes that may contribute to autism spectrum disorder. The machine-learning program analyzed the human genome to predict which genes are at risk of causing the condition.
A new Kaiser Permanente study found that the risk of younger siblings developing an autism spectrum disorder is significantly higher if an older sibling has ASD. The study also found a gender difference in autism diagnosis rates among younger siblings, with boys being more likely to be affected.
A new Autism Speaks MSSNG study has expanded understanding of autism's complex causes, highlighting the role of non-coding DNA and environmental factors in gene changes. The research found a clear difference between de novo mutations from the mother and father, with clustered mutations from the mother linked to copy number variations.
A team of Princeton researchers has developed a machine-learning approach that analyzes the entire human genome to predict which genes may cause autism spectrum disorder. By identifying 2,500 potential autism genes, this new method provides a significant breakthrough in understanding the genetic basis of autism.
Researchers found similar brain impairments in children with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The study linked these impairments to symptoms that occur across different conditions.
A large study found no association between induced labor and increased risk of autism spectrum disorders in children. The research suggests that concern about autism risk should not factor into clinical decisions about inducing labor.
A new study co-led by Salk Institute scientists found that some people with autism spectrum disorder have brains that grow faster than usual, often before diagnosis. The researchers used stem cell reprogramming technologies to model the earliest stages of complex disorders and evaluate potential therapeutic drugs.
A new study finds that prenatal exposure to paracetamol may increase attention-related symptoms, hyperactivity, and autism spectrum symptoms in children. Researchers found a 30% higher risk of attention function detriment and two clinical autism symptoms in boys exposed to paracetamol during pregnancy.
Researchers found that diabetic women were three times more likely to have anti-fetal brain autoantibodies, which may be linked to increased inflammation and neurodevelopmental conditions in children. The study suggests that metabolic conditions during pregnancy may alter maternal immune tolerance to the fetus.
Researchers have observed a link between stress exposure during pregnancy and the development of autism in children. Mothers carrying a specific variant of a stress-sensitive gene reported higher levels of stress, particularly during the second and third trimesters.
Researchers found a link between maternal immune dysfunction during pregnancy and autism combined with intellectual disability. The study identified distinct immune profiles for mothers of children with both conditions, as well as those with intellectual disability without autism.
A new MU program trains primary care providers to screen and manage autism spectrum disorders, improving confidence and utilization of resources. Early diagnosis is critical for children with autism, and the program aims to reduce disparities for rural and underserved children.
A meta-analysis of 39 studies found that one in ten youths treated with an antipsychotic have autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability. The study suggests that more youths with autism or intellectual disability have received antipsychotics, raising concerns over their efficacy and potential side effects.
A federally funded pilot study shows telehealth training successfully improved social communication skills in children with autism, with parents seeing benefits regardless of coaching sessions. The study suggests that telehealth can fill a gap in autism services, especially for rural and underrepresented communities.
Researchers at CanChild Centre developed an autism classification system that defines levels of social communications ability among children with autism spectrum disorder. The new system, called the Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication, provides a standardized and simplified way for clinicians to talk about...
SPARK, the nation's largest autism research study, aims to collect data from 50,000 individuals with autism and their families to accelerate research and discovery. The study, led by Children's Hospital Colorado, will utilize web-based registry and DNA analysis to improve understanding of the causes of autism and develop new treatments.
Researchers found that high levels of folate and vitamin B12 after giving birth double and triple the risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder. The study analyzed data from 1,391 mother-child pairs and recommends optimal folate levels to ensure offspring's health.
A new mouse model of a genetically-linked type of autism has been developed to study the role of genes in the disorder and its underlying brain changes. The researchers found that targeting a specific brain receptor could ease repetitive behaviors and improve learning in some animals.
Researchers identified 43 genes with autism susceptibility also linked to cancer, potentially leading to repurposed treatments. Common biological mechanisms may enable personalized medicines for neurodevelopmental disorders.
The report found that 60% of people with autism who received services from Vocational Rehabilitation left the program with jobs, but the median weekly earnings were low, with part-time workers earning $160/week and full-time workers earning $380/week. State variations in employment rates and wages were also noted.
Research suggests that aerial pesticide spraying may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder and developmental delays among children. Children living in areas where aerial pesticide spraying occurs are approximately 25% more likely to have an autism diagnosis or documented developmental delay.
SPARK aims to advance our understanding of autism's causes by collecting DNA from 50,000 individuals with autism and their families. Researchers will study genetic mechanisms and environmental factors to develop new supports and treatments.
Researchers developed a new method to map and track brain circuits affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in boys using brain imaging. This approach provides a physical measure of progress with behavioral and/or drug treatments, a tool previously elusive in ASD treatment.
Researchers found patients with autism have higher gene mutations that drive cancer, but lower cancer rates. Autistic patients have significantly higher rates of DNA variation in oncogenes and are less likely to have a co-occurring diagnosis of cancer.
The review provides clarity on assessing functional abilities and disabilities in autistic patients, shedding light on the complexities of autism spectrum disorder. Key findings highlight the importance of understanding ability and disability in individuals of all ages, allowing for more effective diagnosis and treatment.
The Autism Science Foundation has awarded $2.3 million in grants to support innovative autism research and training programs. The funding will go towards pre- and post-doctoral fellowships, undergraduate summer research grants, and other initiatives aimed at improving our understanding of autism and developing effective treatments.
A new study using eye-tracker technology shows that children with autism spectrum disorder fixate longer on a speaker's mouth rather than the eyes when the conversation turns emotional. The findings could affect speech therapy treatment, as children with ASD may miss social cues in facial expressions.
A study found that autism diagnoses are still being made at an average age of 4.5 years, with some children not diagnosed until 30 months old. Early intervention can improve social and communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder.
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that remote eye gaze tracking can differentiate children with autism spectrum disorder from those without ASD. The researchers developed an Autism Risk Index based on eye gaze patterns, which correctly identified 4 out of 5 cases of ASD.
Early screening is crucial for detecting autism in toddlers, as it can diagnose symptoms around the second birthday, compared to a fourth birthday without screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal screening, which has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and reduce disparities in diagnosis.
A Yale University study found that infant girls at risk for autism exhibit better social attention and observational skills than boys, which may help prevent or mitigate the severity of autism symptoms in high-risk females.
Researchers at Drexel University found that mothers who took B2AR agonist drugs during pregnancy were 30% more likely to have children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The study suggests that these medications may influence a newborn's neurodevelopment, highlighting the need for further research on potential risks.
Researchers highlight the need for early planning and support for teens with autism and their caregivers to transition into adulthood successfully. Caregivers are encouraged to start discussing future plans with their children as early as age 12 or 13.