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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Opinion /

Viewpoint

Expert opinions on trends and controversies in autism research.

Previous articles
March 2019
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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How to offer support for young autistic children in South Africa

by ,  /  22 January 2019

Coaching caregivers in early-intervention strategies may be the most effective way to help young autistic children in South Africa.

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illustration shows woman under umbrella, with genes falling like rain

Expliquer la résilience à l’autisme peut faire naître de nouvelles thérapies

by  /  18 January 2019

This article is also available in anglais. Il y a quelques années la mère d’un jeune autiste m’a téléphoné. Elle venait d’apprendre que son fils, qui était dans la vingtaine, avait une délétion de SHANK3, l’un des gènes qui, d’après les découvertes de mon équipe, subit une mutation chez certaines personnes autistes. Cette nouvelle m’a […]

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Diverse group of children with happy do

How to help underserved groups gain access to autism care

by  /  15 January 2019

Place your autism center in the community you serve, remove barriers to care, cast a wide net for autism signs, and do as much as possible in the first visit: These principles can help build a lifelong relationship with the community.

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December 2018
Woman looking into mirror sees words and fragmented reflection.

Why adults need an easier path to autism diagnosis

by  /  18 December 2018

Getting an autism diagnosis can be difficult for many adults, due to the dearth of reliable tests, high costs and bureaucracy.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder may mimic autism in some children

by  /  11 December 2018

Clinicians need to be able to distinguish autism from post-traumatic stress disorder so they can provide the right support.

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