A program that helps autistic adults develop social skills for work not only improves their employability, but also has benefits beyond the workplace. Autism
Children with autism show unusually fast automatic visual orientation, but this might actually become a disadvantage in environments involving both faces and non-face stimuli. Autism Research
Stem cells derived from individuals with autism activate certain genes earlier than usual and develop into neurons on an altered timeline. Nature Neuroscience
Brain images show that circuits for processing language are synchronized with social regions responsible for ‘theory of mind,’ the ability to understand the thoughts and beliefs of others. Journal of Neurophysiology
An abnormal immune response to Epstein-Barr virus, a herpes virus that can cause infectious mononucleosis, is associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin
Science and society
The open-access UK Biobank is enabling researchers around the world to uncover the roles genes play in shaping personality, depression, sexual orientation and more. Science
Testing babies’ DNA may reveal the risk of certain childhood-onset conditions that would not be picked up by standard newborn screening. STAT
SeaWorld’s Aquatica Orlando in Florida is the first water park in the world to become an official certified autism center. Orlando Sentinel
A computer algorithm can help physicians and genetic counselors diagnose genetic conditions based on distinctive facial features. Nature Medicine
Advocates are trying to get schizophrenia reclassified as a neurological condition rather than a mental-health condition. Politico
A Kentucky elementary-school teacher has been charged with assault after a video showing her dragging a 9-year-old boy with autism went viral. NBC News
Florida officials have frozen payments to some providers who treat autistic children, as part of an effort to stop Medicaid fraud. Sun Sentinel
A wearable device similar to a Fitbit may help predict when children with autism are moving toward an aggressive outburst. Disability Scoop
Scientists receiving funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health must increase security measures to prevent Chinese spies from stealing information. The New York Times
As cities adopt smart technologies, activists and startups want to ensure these places remain accessible to all. MIT Technology Review
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to open a new office that will review patient reports of how well treatments are working alongside data from drug companies. STAT
Autism and the arts
A new documentary film explores the ways businesses benefit from employing autistic adults with unique skills. This Business of Autism
Young actors with autism are performing a special rendition of “The Jungle Book” for theater audiences in Bangalore, India. The News Minute
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