Scientific research is replete with complications and frustrations, large and small, technical and personal. This year, we asked autism investigators to tell us about the biggest challenges they face as they tackle tough questions about autism. They described a range of difficulties, from coaxing ch…

The post 2015 Year in Review appeared first on Spectrum. Source: Spectrum News

In recent news, we have seen all sorts of innovation that will help blind people navigate with ease in the future. We know about beacons in the UK that will soon become a reality, and also the Sunu Band that vibrates when there is an obstacle  in a blind person's path. But is this where innovat…

Recently, we told you about the girl who signed with Santa. But the story didn't end there...Source: The Autism Site

You rock. Really. We met the $5000 Gear Wall Challenge! With your generous donations we met the Roberts Shoes Fund $5000 Matching Challenge! Our 2015 Autistry Gear Wall is growing and with that growth comes new opportunities for our students. New tools, new programs, and new scholarships. And we cou…

Mice missing the Rett syndrome gene, MeCP2, from neurons that dampen brain activity have hallmark signs of the disorder, such as social abnormalities, repetitive behaviors and poor motor coordination. A new study suggests that most of these symptoms stem from MeCP2 loss in just two types of these so…

You like to categorize things into ‘it is’ or ‘it is not’. It helps you keep track of the world around you, but I have to tell you are going about it the wrong way. This is not a world of binaries. Certainly some binaries do exist, but this is largely a world of spectra- vibrant, living, breathing, …

Choosing an autism service dog is an investment in your child's future. Here are some tips to help make that big decision!Source: The Autism Site

Autistic people are chronically targets of bullying, discrimination, ableism, domestic violence and time and time again are being murdered by the people who are supposed to take care of them. If a person has the ability to avoid all of that by hiding what makes them appear to be autistic, I think t…

High intelligence, as measured by intelligence quotient (IQ), typically predicts good scores on tests of memory, facial recognition and other cognitive functions. This trend does not apply to children with autism, suggests a new study1. The study, published 7 October in PLoS One, shows that children…

The post Cautionary tale; lighter load; name game appeared first on Spectrum. Source: Spectrum News

Some malls offer this awesome opportunity for kids on the spectrum. Have you ever tried it?Source: The Autism Site

Unlike many books on autism, this young man used his real-life experiences to create a book that really gives readers an insider's view of the disorder.Source: The Autism Site

Signing up for a research study may feel like a short-term commitment. A blood draw or a cheek swab and it’s done. But those specimens and the data they yield last much longer, and might end up in studies that did not even exist when the participants first gave their consent. “Maybe I consented to t…