Special Report: Autistic strengths and special interests
Finding strengths in autism
Autism comprises a set of difficulties, but growing evidence suggests that certain abilities also define the condition.
The benefits of special interests in autism
Researchers are studying how the intense passions of autistic people shape the brain, improve well-being and enhance learning.
The benefits of special interests in autism
Book Review: ‘The Pattern Seekers’ links human invention — past, present and future — to autism traits
Simon Baron-Cohen’s new book is essentially a 272-page argument for his hypothesis that all human innovation stems from the ability to discern and manipulate causal patterns.
Book Review: ‘The Pattern Seekers’ links human invention — past, present and future — to autism traits
Older autistic adults may retain strong visual abilities
Autistic adults may not experience the typical age-related decline in brain regions related to vision.
Older autistic adults may retain strong visual abilities
Career-prep program fosters strengths of teens with autism
In a new program based in New York City, autistic students work to build skills that cater to their strengths or special interests.
Career-prep program fosters strengths of teens with autism
Reward-system differences may underlie multiple autism features
The brain's system for sensing pleasure and reward shows unusual activation patterns and an atypical structure in people with autism.
Reward-system differences may underlie multiple autism features
Special interests hinder self-control in children with autism
Children with autism show much less restraint when confronted with one of their interests, compared with their typical peers.
Special interests hinder self-control in children with autism
Animated sidekick connects parents to children with autism
In a new type of therapy for autism, parents talk or type into their phone or computer, and their words emerge in the voice of an animated character.
Animated sidekick connects parents to children with autism
Intense interests may interfere with social development in autism
Children with autism may be so consumed by their interests that they don’t pay attention to social information.
Intense interests may interfere with social development in autism
Extraordinary minds: The link between savantism and autism
Some people with autism have an exceptional talent for music, math, art or language. What accounts for their extraordinary brains?
Extraordinary minds: The link between savantism and autism
Explore more from The Transmitter
Inclusivity committee disbands in protest at Canadian neuroscience institute
The majority of an 11-person committee resigned from the group this week following news that a staff position overseeing equity, diversity and inclusion would not be renewed.
Inclusivity committee disbands in protest at Canadian neuroscience institute
The majority of an 11-person committee resigned from the group this week following news that a staff position overseeing equity, diversity and inclusion would not be renewed.
How to explore your scientific values and develop a vision for your field
As a new professor, I was caught off guard by one part of the job: my role as an evaluator.
How to explore your scientific values and develop a vision for your field
As a new professor, I was caught off guard by one part of the job: my role as an evaluator.
What neuroscientists should know—and what they can do—about changes to BRAIN initiative funding
Many grant proposals submitted to the program in the past year are unlikely to be funded, according to people within the National Institutes of Health. But scientist advocates are reaching out to congressional representatives to try to make changes for 2025.
What neuroscientists should know—and what they can do—about changes to BRAIN initiative funding
Many grant proposals submitted to the program in the past year are unlikely to be funded, according to people within the National Institutes of Health. But scientist advocates are reaching out to congressional representatives to try to make changes for 2025.