Deletions and duplications of long stretches of DNA may increase the likelihood of autism in people who have a mutation in a gene called PTEN.

Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 17 February.

Autistic people who are hyperactive or have difficulty controlling their own impulses are the most likely to show ongoing self-injury.

Girls with autism are diagnosed 1.5 years later, on average, than boys with the condition, perhaps because they tend to have stronger verbal skills.

A new technique detects rare mutations that occur in only a subset of the body’s cells.

Associated primarily with its role in movement, the striatum may also influence the social difficulties of autistic people.

Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 10 February.

Adults with autism vary enormously in their quality of life, and two factors may explain most of this variation.