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Spectrum: Autism Research News

Opinion /

Viewpoint

Expert opinions on trends and controversies in autism research.

Previous articles
September 2020
People reaching out to touch hands through screen.

We need better strategies to support autistic people as the COVID-19 crisis continues

by  /  8 September 2020

Interviews with autistic people reveal that many miss their friends and opportunities for social connection, in stark contrast to orthodox views that they have little social motivation and prefer a life of self-isolation.

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July 2020
Illustration shows scientist is observing social behavior in a large group of children

In search of ‘social’ subtypes of autism

by ,  /  21 July 2020

Grouping autistic people based on their social abilities may reveal subtypes of the condition.

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Person sleeping with EEG electrodes attached to head

Losing sleep: How researchers miss a key contributor to autism

by ,  /  16 July 2020

Doctors and scientists should consider sleep problems an integral part of autism and begin to study them in more rigorous ways.

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A mother and child interact on a giant flower while social workers tend the garden around them

Social workers are poised to help Latino children get autism evaluations

by  /  7 July 2020

Autism prevalence differs between Latino and white children in part due to structural inequalities within the U.S. education and healthcare systems. Social workers are in a prime position to help.

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June 2020
Illustration shows the shadow of a child falling on a cafeteria tray of food.

Calling on primary care providers to help autistic children with weight issues

by ,  /  23 June 2020

Pediatric primary care practitioners have a critical responsibility to provide guidance for autistic children struggling with weight gain, and to advocate for them at home and at school.

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People with autism may smell songs or hear colors

by ,  /  16 June 2020

One in five autistic people may have synesthesia, a crossing of the senses. Studying synesthesia in autism may deepen our understanding of both conditions.

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Why it is critical to assess quality of life in people with autism

by ,  /  2 June 2020

Researchers and clinicians need fast, effective tools to measure quality of life in autistic people.

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May 2020

How the loss of Asperger syndrome has lasting repercussions

by  /  19 May 2020

Some people who have lost the diagnosis of Asperger syndrome say they feel a loss of identity and worry about a loss of services.

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patient in hospital on ventilator, seen through a window.

Autistic people must not be denied access to ventilators

by  /  5 May 2020

With life-saving gear in short supply during the pandemic, health authorities must ensure that disabled people are not pushed to the back of the line.

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April 2020

How to help autistic children cope with pandemic lockdowns

by  /  28 April 2020

Sheltering in place is especially hard for autistic children who dread changes in routine and who may have learned to repress their ways of managing stress. Here are tips to help them cope.

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