Common and rare variants in or near autism-associated genes can have opposite effects on cognition.

Spontaneous genetic mutations contribute to autism in 30 to 39 percent of all people with the condition, and 52 to 67 percent of autistic children whose siblings do not also have the condition.

A large, whole-genome sequencing study of families yields insights into ultra-rare genetic variants that contribute to autism.

Genetic sequences from nearly 53,000 people with autism, developmental delay or intellectual disability reveal strong ties to 98 genes.

Brothers and sisters of people with autism are both about two to three times more likely than the general population to have an autistic child themselves.

About 17 percent of children with autism are calmer and more communicative than usual when they have a fever.

Mutations that appear in only some of the body’s cells contribute to autism in about 4 percent of people with the condition.

A monkey study suggests facial recognition is not innate, a puzzle piece symbol carries negative connotations, and scientists are using a federal law to snoop on colleagues.

Children with autism are genetically more similar to one another than to a group of unaffected siblings.

About 8 percent of non-inherited mutations in people with autism occur in only some of the body’s cells, according to a study of 20,000 people.