News
Test of ‘preemptive’ autism therapy detects few benefits
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An experimental behavioral therapy delivered by parents does not improve autism traits in babies who screen positive for the condition.
TOPIC
Treatments
Efforts to ease the symptoms of autism are beginning to ramp up, with promising candidates in various stages of testing.
Opinion / Viewpoint
Brain-body connection may ease autistic people’s social problems
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An auditory therapy may improve autistic people's emotional control and help them feel safe enough to engage with the world.
Opinion / Viewpoint
Medical ‘home’ programs offer coordinated care for autistic people
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A Utah program provides comprehensive care for autistic people across the lifespan and engages families in the decision-making.
News
Drugs that calm ‘touch neurons’ may ease autism traits
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An experimental drug that muffles the activity of neurons in the skin moderates heightened reactions to touch in six mouse models of autism.
August 2019
News
Early exposure to speech may shape autistic children’s language ability
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The more words autistic children hear as infants — and the more verbal interactions they have with their caregivers — the better their language skills at age 2.
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July 2019
Features / Deep Dive
The deep emotional ties between depression and autism
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Autistic people are four times as likely to experience depression over the course of their lives as their neurotypical peers. Yet researchers know little about why, or how best to help.
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News
Experts question rationale for stem cell trial for autism
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Results from a new trial suggest that it’s safe to treat autistic children with umbilical cord stem cells. But parents must pay for the pricey infusions, and no one knows how or if the cells work.
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Opinion / Viewpoint
Community delivery of autism therapies lags far behind evidence
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Most community clinicians do not deliver care that is in line with the latest evidence — and they are not improving over time.
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News
Eye tracking reveals early communication problem in autistic children
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At 10 months of age, infants later diagnosed with autism show key differences in joint attention, a behavior in which two people focus on the same object or event.
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News
Family groups, researchers join forces to solve mysteries of autism gene
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Families of children with mutations in a gene called SYNGAP1 have spurred research into the effects of the mutations on people — and how to treat them.
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Opinion / Viewpoint
How the social hormone vasopressin might help autistic people
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A drug that mimics the hormone vasopressin improves social skills in autistic people — but so does one that blocks vasopressin’s effects. How can seemingly opposing manipulations produce similar results?
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News
Study hints at dietary chemical as therapy for type of autism
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A compound derived from cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, might limit the impact of certain mutations in an autism gene.
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June 2019
Features / Deep Dive
Supplements, worms and stool: How families are trying to game the gut to treat autism traits
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Scientists are playing catch-up as microbiome-based treatments for autism proliferate.