Spectrum: Autism Research News

Research roundup

• The Quantified Behavioral Test, a continuous performance task, distinguishes autistic children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from those with only autism. BMC Psychiatry
• Teachers tend to rate children with autism and intellectual disability higher on adaptive behavior skills than parents do. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Aripiprazole and risperidone are the most effective short-term treatments for emotional dysregulation and irritability in autism, according to a review of clinical trials. Spectrum previously covered questions around the side effects associated with their long-term use. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Young autistic children are more likely to show attachment behavior with their mothers than with their fathers, according to a small study. Attachment & Human Development
• Researchers have identified a novel set of candidate genes associated with neurodevelopmental conditions by using an approach that compares observed and expected rates of copy number variants in the genome. Genome Medicine
• Neural connectivity between the amygdala and cortex, assessed by brain imaging, does not seem to vary in relation to internalizing and externalizing behaviors in children with or without neurodevelopmental conditions. Brain Structure and Function
• Describing brain activity as widespread neural waves rather than focused neural pathways elucidates some observations about the primate visual system that have resisted explanation. Science Advances
• Trainings for caregivers of autistic children can be successfully culturally adapted for those whose culture or language differ from the ones that are predominant where they live, according to a review of studies. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

Science and society

• The Cherokee Nation is launching an autism initiative through a partnership with a local Oklahoma resource center for parents. Muskogee Now
• Evernorth, a division of the health insurance company Cigna, has announced a partnership with the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, a health-service accreditor, to develop assessments to measure the quality of care for autistic people. Business Wire
• Neurologists can play a key role in diagnosing and managing autistic people, including those with related neurologic issues, such as seizures and sleep problems. Neurology Advisor
• A lawsuit on behalf of some animal welfare organizations argues that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is shirking its responsibility for animal research facility oversight by outsourcing inspections. The Scientist
• The Museum of the Moving Image in New York City is showing an exhibition of works by neurodivergent creators; the museum feted the artists at an awards ceremony in March. The Washington Post
• The Black Autism Support Society, run by an Indiana couple whose three children are on the spectrum, connects families so that they can share experiences and resources. WTHR

Cite this article: https://doi.org/10.53053/OPWY4937