The post 2016: Year in review appeared first on Spectrum. Source: Spectrum News

Depictions of autism in popular culture often overemphasize certain traits, such as social awkwardness and restricted interests. Some characters have savant-like abilities — think Dustin Hoffman in “Rain Man” — when in reality, savantism is rare among individuals on the spectrum. This tendency to ex…

Are you comforted by squeeze or steady pressure?Readers of my book Look Me in the Eye will recall my chapter about sleeping in piles, where I talk about how it’s comforting to have the weight of another person or a pile of pillows on me when I rest.  My friend Temple Grandin has her squeeze mac…

In this strange lull between the Xmas holiday and New Year’s Day, we usually drift in nostalgia and reminisce about the past year’s activities and achievements. And though there have been many wonderful accomplishments this year, we find ourselves looking forward to 2017. We are ready to…

A new method allows researchers to watch thousands of neurons firing in concert in the brains of living mice1. The method provides a deeper, broader view of brain activity than traditional techniques, revealing interactions of neurons in networks. The approach could allow scientists to learn whether…

The post Screening scrutiny; tracking technology; sensitive Santa appeared first on Spectrum. Source: Spectrum News

An Irish girl on the autism spectrum has given the world a gift with her version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Kayleigh Rodgers, a 10-year-old, who gave this knockout performance at Killard House School, a special needs school, in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland. Leonard Cohen died in November.…

The Art of Autism is taking nominations for most informative blogs. Here are our nominations so far for best all around blog – magazine style, To vote click on who you want to vote for and hit the vote button at the bottom. (function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagNa…

This girl has such a gift. Get ready to be blown away!Source: The Autism Site

How about that for a headline?  With the help of our friends at Bentley Motors, we are about to make those words a reality . . .Many of you already know about my childhood struggles with school, and autism.  Today autism is one of the things that makes me a gifted expert on Bentley and oth…

Some children with autism carry harmful mutations in the DNA found in mitochondria, the cell’s energy producers, a new study shows1. A single neuron carries thousands of mitochondria, so the mutations could contribute to autism by disrupting the brain. About 5 percent of people with autism — compare…

This does not negate personal experiences of adults on the spectrum. But it does give us an idea of the root, underlying issue that causes these personal experiences.Source: The Autism Site

There's been an increase of autism awareness over the years. But this part of life with autism is still neglected.Source: The Autism Site

When searching for a great restaurant or choosing a movie to go see, often we consider the personal reports of neighbors, work associates and friends. Why not? Their “testimonies” give us a quick method for judging the probability that a particular restaurant or movie will be a good investment. Of c…