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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Opinion /

Viewpoint

Expert opinions on trends and controversies in autism research.

Previous articles
December 2018
Illustration shows paper under review and the research process, on two different sides.

Peer review of methods before study’s onset may benefit science

by  /  4 December 2018

‘Registered reports’ — a type of paper in which experimental protocols are reviewed before the study begins — may make neuroscience studies more rigorous and reproducible.

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November 2018
illustration shows figure with many different colors and shapes indicating fluidity of identity.

Why we need to respect sexual orientation, gender diversity in autism

by  /  27 November 2018

Autistic people with a minority sexual orientation or gender identity face specific challenges, from having their self-assessments dismissed to difficulties advocating for their gender needs.

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Drawing shows robot making a surprised face to mimic human emotion.

Intelligent robots could prove to be a boon for autism therapies

by ,  /  13 November 2018

Robots may one day help therapists analyze behaviors and devise personalized sessions for autistic children.

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Illustration shows Austria lagging behind Germany--doctors and researchers are taking bigger steps in Germany.

How Austria can restore its status as a center of autism research

by  /  6 November 2018

Austria must train more autism specialists, expand its research funding and build more centers for autism diagnosis and treatment.

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October 2018
A woman peers through a wall made to look like a genetic sequencing background, through a missing area.

Counseling can ease shock of unexpected genetic results

by  /  23 October 2018

The best way to deliver surprises from genetic findings is to provide adequate information and counseling alongside the results.

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An illustration shows a mosaic-like view of viruses delivering genes to the brain.

Angelman syndrome: Bellwether for genetic therapy in autism

by ,  /  16 October 2018

It is not a matter of whether there will be clinical trials of genetic therapy for Angelman syndrome, but when.

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Illustration of human brain in brackets suggesting circuit alterations that is associated with certain genetic mutations.

Brain scans of sleeping mice hint at subtypes of autism

by  /  9 October 2018

Mapping the effects of autism mutations on mouse brain circuits may reveal subtypes of the condition in people.

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Illustration shows two people communicating, word bubble above head show that one person is getting less information.

Separate thinking skills underlie autism, attention deficit

by  /  2 October 2018

Theory of mind difficulties are likely to be more central to autism than to attention deficit hyperactive disorder, whereas executive function problems are more often associated with the latter.

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September 2018
Illustration shows white doctor's hands holding up a male figure cut in paper over a young African-American girl.

Quashing sex bias in autism research calls for participant rainbow

by  /  25 September 2018

Autism researchers must attend to the need for sex and gender diversity in study design as a rule rather than as an exception.

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Drawing shows woman at desk looking away into the light as her coworkers gossip in the darkness.

Disclosure of autism at work holds risks and benefits

by  /  18 September 2018

Telling coworkers you are autistic can bring acceptance, but it may also hinder advancement.

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