An infusion of umbilical cord blood does not improve social skills in autistic children, according to results from the largest, most rigorous test of the therapy for autism to date.

The National Institutes of Health is offering autism researchers who are coping with the coronavirus pandemic flexibility with their grant applications, budgets and progress reports.

The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered universities and institutes, leaving scientists scrambling to continue their research.

Some families do not have the financial ability or time to participate in clinical trials for autism. New technologies may enable them to participate from their homes.

Melatonin appears to be safe for long-term use in autistic children who have difficulty sleeping.

Aripiprazole, marketed as Abilify, is widely thought to be safer than risperidone, the only other drug approved for use in autistic children. A decade’s worth of data suggests that is not true.

Many clinical trials, including those related to autism, do not report their results within a year of their completion.

A class of medications used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder seems to ease compulsive behaviors in adults with autism. Why can’t we tell if these medications work similarly in children with the condition?

Few of the most popular early treatments for autism are supported by strong evidence, according to two new studies.

Here are seven Spectrum stories from this year that deserve a close look.