Research roundup

• Researchers propose a model for gathering first-person perspectives from young people who have communication or cognitive disabilities. Autism
• Scientists call for single-cell gene-expression studies in tissues from children, to expand and augment the Human Cell Atlas. Developmental Cell
• An inclusive summer camp helps autistic children improve their social skills. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Altered sensory processing is directly related to repetitive behaviors in autism, but not in Williams syndrome. Autism Research
• Autism prevalence in China is similar to that in Western countries, according to researchers who screened schoolchildren in three Chinese cities. Molecular Autism
• Poor functional connectivity in a particular brain region appears to be a brain signature for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder who do not respond to psychotherapy. Science Translational Medicine

Science and society

• Elucidating the sex differences in pain perception may lead to better and more personalized pain-relief treatments. Nature
• The Autism History Project website highlights the people and discoveries that shaped our understanding of the condition in the United States. Futurity
• An Australian study documents the difficulties autistic people have finding and keeping jobs. The Guardian
• A new book from autism researchers Sue Fletcher-Watson and Francesca Happé, “Autism: A New Introduction to Psychological Theory and Current Debate,” includes the voices of autistic people. Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism
• A conference focusing on autism in girls was held in London on World Autism Day. National Association of Head Teachers
• Max Park, who has autism, holds the world record for speed-solving several sizes of Rubik’s Cubes. Guinness World Records
• The U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued new guidelines that clarify the definitions of community-based and institutional living arrangements for people with disabilities. Disability Scoop
• Goldman Sachs is launching a paid internship program for neurodiverse individuals. CNN
• The French government announced its commitment to improve early diagnosis of autism and to help schools and preschools accommodate autistic children. The Washington Post
• In an opinion piece, an autistic woman with an autistic daughter calls for acceptance and understanding. CBC
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns stem-cell clinics across the country to stop selling unproven treatments. The New York Times
• Americans’ knowledge of science — facts and process — is solid, but that does not impact their faith in science. FiveThirtyEight
• Virtual reality can help autistic people practice social encounters and public speaking. Forbes
• The Milestones National Autism Conference is scheduled to be held in Cleveland in June. Milestones Autism Resources

Autism and the arts

• Comedian Hannah Gadsby is back with a new stand-up show, in which she addresses her recent autism diagnosis. The New York Times
• The Miracle Project, an inclusive theater program that creates musicals for performers on the spectrum, has received a boost from theatrical licensor Broadway Licensing. Broadway World
• The Aspen Art Museum holds monthly workshops and sensory-friendly visiting hours for autistic people. Aspen Times

Publishing

• Computational biologist Steven Salzberg writes a point-by-point rebuttal to a New England Journal of Medicine editorial that argued that open-access publishing is a failure. Forbes

Job moves

• David Page returns to his laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after directing the Whitehead Institute for 15 years. Boston Globe