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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Opinion /

Viewpoint

Expert opinions on trends and controversies in autism research.

Previous articles
June 2018

Genetic testing, counseling crucial in people with developmental delay

by ,  /  19 June 2018

Referring children with developmental delay to a clinical geneticist for testing and counseling helps families and advances research.

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Big baby plays with two connected rings while two scientists with clipboards look on.

Traits of other conditions may spur autism

by ,  /  12 June 2018

Early features of other conditions may contribute to autism itself

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Abridged autism assessment speeds access to therapy

by  /  5 June 2018

A new strategy for diagnosing autism shortens the evaluation process — and the wait for answers.

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May 2018
An ambulance and a police car on a city street, lights on.

Training first responders to recognize autism may avert tragedies

by ,  /  29 May 2018

A lack of training for first responders, combined with the communication difficulties of people with autism, can create dangerous misunderstandings.

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Figures along the top of a cliff, reaching for the papers falling from the sky and circulating in the air currents.

How I learned to stop worrying and love preprints

by  /  22 May 2018

Preprints are gaining traction in biology, but some researchers have lingering concerns. Should they?

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In DSM-5, guidance on girls with autism is short but savvy

by  /  9 May 2018

The DSM-5 acknowledges how gender shapes autism more than any previous diagnostic manual has, but it’s time to fold in a few new findings.

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Narrowing of ‘autism’ in DSM-5 runs counter to idea of broad spectrum

by ,  /  9 May 2018

The strict definition of autism in the latest version of the diagnostic manual is antithetical to the idea that autism comes in a wide variety of forms.

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Intellectual disability’s introduction in the DSM-5: What’s the impact?

by  /  9 May 2018

The move to replace ‘mental retardation’ with ‘intellectual disability’ is widely accepted, but little data exist on the impact of this change.

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Few people mourn Asperger syndrome’s loss from diagnostic manuals

by  /  9 May 2018

Our concept of autism has evolved over the past 20 years, rendering redundant the diagnostic labels of Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified.

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The DSM-5 has not improved services for autistic adults

by  /  9 May 2018

Since the DSM-5’s debut, schoolchildren have gained stronger legal rights and better opportunities for accessing services; for adults, it’s a different story.

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