Spectrum: Autism Research News

Research roundup

• Women with depression or other mood disorders are at an increased risk of having a child with autism, according to a meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders
• Hypersensitivity to — and, therefore, avoidance of — bright light may contribute to the insomnia many autistic people experience, by disrupting their circadian rhythm. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• Autistic children with features of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have more trouble performing basic tasks in school and at home than those without ADHD traits. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Adding immersive virtual reality to cognitive behavioral therapy may help children with autism overcome specific phobias. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
• A case study of a 34-year-old man illustrates the difficulties of correctly diagnosing autism in adults. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine

Science and society

• Neuroscientist BethAnn McLaughlin has focused on fighting sexual harassment at various research institutes, but her own university has reversed her tenure approval. Science
• University of Oregon historian Ellen Herman has launched a website called The Autism History Project to serve as a resource on people and ideas that helped shape autism in the United States. University of Oregon
• A new edition of a textbook on the psychology of autism and neurodiversity includes sections written by autistic individuals. University of Edinburgh
• Several top medical journals have started requiring researchers to disclose their plans for sharing raw data from individuals in clinical trials without including personal information. STAT
• Papers describing the results of clinical trials often report on outcomes other than what the researchers set out to study, making a drug look more promising than it is. Science
• Experts have suggested two policy regulations to decrease surprise out-of-network medical bills. Brookings Institution
• The Discovery Cove animal-interaction park in Orlando, Florida, is SeaWorld’s second park to receive certification marking it as friendly for autistic guests. Orlando Sentinel
• Haley Moss, a native of Parkland, Florida, has become the state’s first openly autistic attorney. South Florida Sun-Sentinel
• Programs that provide young autistic adults with job training, housing and other support cannot keep up with demand. The Atlantic
• A man whose children are at the center of a measles outbreak in Vancouver, Canada, says he chose not to vaccinate his sons because of a fear that vaccines cause autism, a claim he now knows has been debunked. CBC News
• In Northern Ireland, 2,345 children under age 18 received an autism diagnosis last year, more than double the number of children diagnosed there five years ago. BBC News

Autism and the arts

• In a one-woman play, actress and writer Anne Torsiglieri portrays her search for treatment and support for her son with autism. Hartford Courant
• In his third exhibit, autistic painter Alex Schwartz displays more than two dozen of his colorful, abstract canvases. Eagle Tribune