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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Opinion /

Viewpoint

Expert opinions on trends and controversies in autism research.

Previous articles
April 2019
Illustration of a child seen in front of cables, with matching cables in the brain area not fully connected

Families need guidance before buying a communication app for autism

by  /  23 April 2019

The popularity of mobile devices offers families the promise of communication with their autistic child, but success is more than a click away.

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human making connections

Sharing genetic results can advance autism science, medical care

by ,  /  9 April 2019

People with autism and their families can be important partners in understanding the genetics of autism by agreeing to share their genetic data.

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Quantitative tests of motor skills could improve autism care

by  /  2 April 2019

New assessments of the subtle motor difficulties that characterize autism could improve autistic children’s lives and teach us a lot about the condition.

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March 2019
Portrait of Dr. Timothy Roberts

In quest for autism biomarkers, this technique has magnetic appeal

by  /  26 March 2019

To find biological markers of autism, scientists would be wise to measure the brain’s electrical activity along with the resulting magnetic fields.

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brain inside head, showing sound waves

Hearing problems hint at potential for early autism screening

by  /  19 March 2019

Difficulties hearing and processing sounds are common in autism and may originate in the brainstem — offering the possibility of an inexpensive screen for the condition.

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Woman stands alone in beige office, ignored by co-workers

Call for help: We need to address suicide risk in autistic women

by  /  12 March 2019

Researchers need funds to investigate why autistic women take their own lives — and how to stop them.

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Analyzing postmortem brains for autism? Proceed with caution

by  /  5 March 2019

Any study of postmortem brains must control for artifacts, which are pervasive in brain tissue.

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February 2019
baby in utero, with placenta and antibodies and molecules

What the placenta could reveal about autism

by  /  19 February 2019

Understanding the interactions between the placenta and the uterine lining could explain how maternal immune activation leads to autism.

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'crystal ball' of genetic prediction

Genetic risk ‘scores’ may help forecast autism diagnosis

by  /  5 February 2019

A count of genetic variants may help predict a person’s risk of various conditions — but its clinical use prompts ethical questions.

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January 2019
Researchers and doctors interacting with family with genetic syndrome

Reaching out to families can inspire new autism research

by  /  29 January 2019

For students and early-career investigators, opportunities to meet and talk with the people they are trying to help underscores why the work matters.

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