Spectrum: Autism Research News

Research roundup

• Autistic adolescents and young adults have many opportunities — but limited capacity — to develop skills such as decision-making and self-advocacy, caregivers report. Autism
• Identical twins with autism may differ in the severity of their traits, suggesting the condition can be modified by environmental factors. Behavior Genetics
•  Psychologists often modify anxiety treatments for their autistic clients and view typical anxiety screens as insufficient. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Magnetic resonance imaging identifies differences in cell density, energy use and inflammation in the brains of autistic versus typical people. Biological Psychiatry
• Transgender adults with autism have unusually high odds of depression and anxiety. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Science and society

• A Richmond, Virginia, hospital has created sensory-friendly pediatric rooms in its emergency department. WSET
• A new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics warns against using gluten-free or casein-free diets to treat autistic children. PhillyVoice
• Many people who are diagnosed with autism in middle age say they feel a sense of relief at having an explanation for why they always felt different. BBC News
• A controversial saliva test for autism has become available in the United States but is not yet covered by insurance. Syracuse.com