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Spectrum: Autism Research News

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Conversations with experts about noteworthy topics in autism.

Previous articles
February 2021
Oil and water with colors behind: blue, green, yellow and red.

How microscopic ‘condensates’ in cells might contribute to autism

by  /  23 February 2021

A controversial idea about how cells compartmentalize their contents into droplets — like beads of oil in water — could be key to understanding autism, says Julie Forman-Kay.

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Maria Chahrour and Leah Seyoum-Tesfa framed by a window at Maria's home.

How two researchers built the first genetics cohort of African children with autism

by  /  16 February 2021

In this recorded interview, Maria Chahrour and Leah Seyoum-Tesfa talk about how they work closely with immigrant communities to increase diversity in genetic studies of autism.

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January 2021

How polygenic scores can improve predictions about autism, schizophrenia

by  /  19 January 2021

Jacob Vorstman wants to help people who have rare mutations tied to autism, schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental conditions set expectations about outcomes.

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December 2020
Two children are interacting with a toy in the shape of a brain.

How redefining autism could improve research on the condition

by  /  8 December 2020

Ami Klin wants researchers, clinicians and policymakers to think of autism as something inborn that only predisposes a child to certain traits. Early intervention can change the course of development.

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Portrait of of Kim Kaiser, Director of programming at Color of Autism.

How autism researchers can better reach Black families

by  /  1 December 2020

Kim Kaiser spoke with Spectrum about the nonprofit organization The Color of Autism, why researchers fail to reach Black families and what’s needed to fix that disparity.

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October 2020
Illustration shows young woman surrounded by the confusion of puberty and body changes.

Puberty may arrive early for some autistic girls

by  /  27 October 2020

Girls with autism tend to start puberty earlier than their peers do, which may intensify their social difficulties and put them at an increased risk for bullying and mental health conditions such as depression.

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September 2020
young autistic girl in playroom with a tennis ball that matches her yellow dyed hair.

Inside a summer camp for autistic children in Russia

by  /  1 September 2020

Photographs show how a camp in St. Petersburg this summer helped children on the spectrum and their families find some fun during the pandemic.

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August 2020
Photo-based illustration shows woman with a dress matching the wallpaper behind her, holding a mask.

Spotting the problems with ‘camouflaging’ in autism research

by  /  25 August 2020

Eric Fombonne spoke with Spectrum about the possibilities that autism is overdiagnosed in adults and that camouflaging traits is not unique to the condition.

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Collage illustration showing Lucina Uddin portrait with eye movements and brain images

Rethinking ‘noise’ in autism research

by  /  11 August 2020

Lucina Uddin says researchers should be cautious when analyzing their findings, because ‘noisy’ data may actually hold important information about brain functioning.

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July 2020
Pen and ink drawings by a father and daughter in a. sketchbook

On the same page: Divorce, drawing, and parenting an autistic child

by  /  28 July 2020

Shared sketch books chart a father-daughter relationship over time and provide a valuable outlet for self-regulating emotions.

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