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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Opinion /

Viewpoint

Expert opinions on trends and controversies in autism research.

Previous articles
March 2023
A bar graph with a hand extending from below to push the center bar higher.

Private equity harms autism service market

by  /  1 March 2023

Time is running out to expose this disreputable push for profit over care and change insurance, funding and training practices for the better.

Comments
January 2023
Several scientists standing under a spotlight greet scientists who are entering the spotlight.

Autistic psychiatrists are an asset to medicine — but we need to better support them

by  /  18 January 2023

Autistic psychiatrists report experiencing prejudice, stigmatization and career barriers during their training and day-to-day practice. Workplaces can make some simple adjustments to better support them and enhance equality and inclusivity.

Comments
December 2022
Collage illustration of several people constructing a city with a Brazilian flag visible.

How to plan policies that support the autism community in Brazil: Lessons from a U.S. experience

by  /  21 December 2022

Brazil could learn from the challenges and successes of other nations to become a leader in planning for the needs of autistic people.

Comments
A young woman sits alone in a doctor’s office.

How scientists can counteract their unwitting contributions to autism’s sex bias

by  /  20 December 2022

Common diagnostic and research practices may be adding to autism’s sex bias, but there are some simple steps scientists can take to counteract it.

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October 2022
Lone figure treads a central path that splits into two, surrounded on both sides by an uncertain, shifting landscape in murky colors.

It’s time to embrace ‘profound autism’

by  /  27 October 2022

My experience at the Autism-Europe International Congress — and as a parent of a child with profound autism — makes me more convinced than ever that we need to bifurcate the diagnosis of ‘autism spectrum disorder’ and add a new diagnosis of ‘profound autism’ to better serve this vulnerable population.

Comments
September 2022
Human silhouettes are seen against a colorful, abstract representation of a genetic sequence.

How geneticists can gain greater buy-in from the autistic community

by  /  9 September 2022

My recommendations aim to foster a collaborative relationship between researchers and the Autistic community, resulting in an increase in the availability of genetic data.

Comments
A mother and child stand, dwarfed by giant alphabet blocks spelling ABA.

Applied behavior analysis and autism: Flawed application of a proven science

by  /  1 September 2022

The field of ABA needs more compassion and individualization.

Comments
June 2022
Illustration shows widening circles to symbolize inclusion.

Ways to make autism research more diverse and inclusive

by  /  14 June 2022

Scientists must focus on the importance of representative study samples and of engaging with diverse autism community members.

Comments
April 2022
Book cover conceptual illustration of chromosome superimposed with genetic tree.

A whisper of autism: Fragile X carriers and the autism phenotype

by  /  21 April 2022

Among people who carry the fragile X premutation, about 14 percent of boys and 5 percent of girls meet the criteria for autism, but the ‘broad autism phenotype’ may be far more common.

Comments
March 2022
Ukrainian families seen waiting for a train to Poland. Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine, has now become a transit hub for women and children fleeing to Europe, while men return and travel to eastern Ukraine to defend the country.

My hope for Ukrainians with autism

by  /  15 March 2022

To think that what we are witnessing now in Ukraine is far removed from the world of autism would be a huge mistake.

Comments

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